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 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
After the main event, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed brutally attacked their leader, with Paul Heyman aligning with the two aggressors.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The Phillies were the aggressors again.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Drones allow aggressors to target critical infrastructure that cripples a defender’s economy at low cost and with high accuracy.
—Omar Al-Ubaydli, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
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
After the main event, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed brutally attacked their leader, with Paul Heyman aligning with the two aggressors.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The Phillies were the aggressors again.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Drones allow aggressors to target critical infrastructure that cripples a defender’s economy at low cost and with high accuracy.
—Omar Al-Ubaydli, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressors
Noun
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Its campaign calling for the protection of American culture from invaders has raised eyebrows, and prompted accusations by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch Project, of promoting a White, Christian nationalist agenda.—
NPR,
NPR,
29 Oct. 2025
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An armed resident in mortal fear — and forced to make a split-second decision — will likely fire if confronted by unidentified, armed and possibly masked home invaders.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Its namesake, cattleman Oliver Loving, was shot by a band of raiders during a cattle drive in 1866, and died of shock a few days later after a doctor didn’t amputate his gangrenous arm.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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All of them have been broken into by raiders over the centuries, their walls smashed or lids prised off despite once being locked shut with metal clasps.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressors. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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