as in invaders
one that starts armed conflict against another especially without reasonable cause
a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors
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Recent Examples of aggressors
But the Zags answered with an 8-0 run to take a 63-60 advantage and were the aggressors the rest of the way.
—
Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
Martinez denies ramming them and said agents were the aggressors.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that stand your ground should not apply, asserting that neither Ordonez nor Cutshaw were the aggressors in the confrontation.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
These governments are easily rich enough to afford the sort of national militaries needed to deter potential aggressors and uphold stability in their respective regions.
—Peter Harris, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
Although government officials have claimed that Good and Pretti were both aggressors in their altercations, footage captured by bystanders appeared to contradict those claims.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
It’s filled to bursting with antioxidants, which create a forcefield around the skin, protecting it from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV, which can dull, clog, and age skin.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, that means that the moisture barrier can't protect the skin from external aggressors and seal in moisture, contributing to the classic eczema symptoms of red, itchy, scaly, and dry skin.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 20 Jan. 2026
Matin noted other groups that received only muted support from anti-imperialists, including the Yazidis, persecuted by ISIS, and Rohingya, victims of the Myanmar government—in which case the aggressors were not Western hegemons.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
Martinez denies ramming them and said agents were the aggressors.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that stand your ground should not apply, asserting that neither Ordonez nor Cutshaw were the aggressors in the confrontation.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
These governments are easily rich enough to afford the sort of national militaries needed to deter potential aggressors and uphold stability in their respective regions.
—Peter Harris, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
Although government officials have claimed that Good and Pretti were both aggressors in their altercations, footage captured by bystanders appeared to contradict those claims.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
It’s filled to bursting with antioxidants, which create a forcefield around the skin, protecting it from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV, which can dull, clog, and age skin.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, that means that the moisture barrier can't protect the skin from external aggressors and seal in moisture, contributing to the classic eczema symptoms of red, itchy, scaly, and dry skin.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 20 Jan. 2026
Matin noted other groups that received only muted support from anti-imperialists, including the Yazidis, persecuted by ISIS, and Rohingya, victims of the Myanmar government—in which case the aggressors were not Western hegemons.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressors
Noun
-
The game got chaotic in the final minutes as several pitch invaders ran onto the field attempting to reach Messi.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
-
As cracks in the body’s armor develop, toxic invaders can slip through.—
Sonya Collins,
SELF,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Amongst the sandy plains of the Burning Springs region and throngs of raiders and ruthless cap collectors is Prime Video’s Fallout character, The Ghoul (Walton Goggins).—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The Taopiaopiao release centers on an underperforming local police unit that fabricates minor cases to pad its record, only to uncover a genuine criminal conspiracy after a burst water main exposes a gang of tomb raiders posing as repair workers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggressors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressors. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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