aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgre-shən 

1

: a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master

2

: the practice of making attacks or encroachments

especially : unprovoked violation by one country of the territorial integrity of another

warned that any act of aggression could start a war

3

: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especially when caused by frustration

Aggression is often the expression of pent-up rage.

Synonyms of aggression

• aggressiveness
• hostility
• defiance
• belligerence

Examples of aggression in a Sentence

He has a lot of pent-up aggression.

behavior that is likely to provoke aggression

dangerous dogs showing aggression toward people

The government says that it will view any attempt to fly over its territory as an act of aggression.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kings are still adjusting to their new direction under Laviolette, who wants offensive aggression from a team that has played deliberate, defense-first hockey for nearly two decades. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The frozen velocity of paint whipped across a canvas suggested a new visual metaphor for intensity, aggression, violence, virility, force, energy, music, and ecstasy, a more efficient representation than any previous word or picture had managed. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

The three authors discussed below, Artur Dron, Andriy Lyubka and Lena Lyagushonkova each find their unique style and depict a particular segment of life shaped, in one way or another, by the long-standing Russian aggression and colonial ambition. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

On the contrary, airpower remains the most potent piece of the United States’ conventional forces, as well as its main source of both deterrent capacity and warfighting advantage against conventional aggression by hostile states. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French agression, going back to Middle French, "attack," borrowed from Latin aggressiōn-, aggressiō, from aggredī "to approach, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at aggress

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aggression

• anti-aggression
• counter-aggression

Rhymes for aggression

• accession
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression
• possession

Kids Definition

aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgresh-ən 

1

: an attack made without reasonable cause

2

: the practice of making attacks

3

: hostile or destructive behavior or outlook

Etymology

derived from Latin aggredi "to attack," from ad- "to" and gradi "to step, go"

Medical Definition

aggression

noun

ag·​gres·​sion ə-ˈgresh-ən 

: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook