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
The Magic are one of the league’s most physical teams, but on Tuesday night, the Wizards were the aggressors from the jump.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Its body oil slash shimmering sunscreen is resistant to water, fights off environmental aggressors that might irritate the skin, and, most importantly, benefits from Sol de Janeiro’s sumptuous Cheirosa 87 scent.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
The Inkey List’s Vitamin B, C, and E Moisturizer helps control excess oil, shields against environmental aggressors such as pollution, and provides deep hydration in one go.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 24 Dec. 2025
Transnational justice can be hijacked, with aggressors trying to portray themselves as victims.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The pH-balanced formula is specially designed to shield hair from external aggressors—including pollution, sun damage, and heat tools.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Allies in Latin America thus helped Kennedy keep the moral high ground and portray the Soviets as unwelcome aggressors.
—Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The Lakers, who don’t sport a physical roster, were the clear aggressors Friday in Los Angeles.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Some potential aggressors, like North Korea, will hint at violence but stop short of openly declaring an intent to strike.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Its body oil slash shimmering sunscreen is resistant to water, fights off environmental aggressors that might irritate the skin, and, most importantly, benefits from Sol de Janeiro’s sumptuous Cheirosa 87 scent.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
The Inkey List’s Vitamin B, C, and E Moisturizer helps control excess oil, shields against environmental aggressors such as pollution, and provides deep hydration in one go.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 24 Dec. 2025
Transnational justice can be hijacked, with aggressors trying to portray themselves as victims.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The pH-balanced formula is specially designed to shield hair from external aggressors—including pollution, sun damage, and heat tools.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Allies in Latin America thus helped Kennedy keep the moral high ground and portray the Soviets as unwelcome aggressors.
—Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The Lakers, who don’t sport a physical roster, were the clear aggressors Friday in Los Angeles.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Some potential aggressors, like North Korea, will hint at violence but stop short of openly declaring an intent to strike.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressors
Noun
-
The invaders left with the dog and another unidentified item or items, according to Lefebvre.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Positively identify invaders and take steps to get rid of them.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Set two-hundred years after atomic armageddon, residents of Vault-Tec’s network of luxury fallout habitats begin to explore the radioactive territory outside their shelters and discover a nightmarish world of militant factions, irradiated creatures, vicious raiders, and feral monsters.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressors. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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