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
• fight
• 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

While Rickie Fowler and Ludvig Åberg chatted with their caddies, DeChambeau took a bunch of practice swings and chomped on a piece of beef jerky with more aggression than even chewy meat merits. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Kartik Tyagi surprised Bethell with a sharp bouncer and held on to an easy return catch but Padikkal showed aggression against both the pace and spin of Sunil Narine before Kohli raised his half century off 32 balls in the 10th over. —ABC News, 13 May 2026

The narrative advances with the tension of the men’s relationship, with special attention paid to how Salieri’s aggression against Mozart was another avenue for his enmity against God. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 May 2026

Miles-Novelo points out that the strongest predictor of gun violence is access to a firearm, for example, and the most significant risk factor for future aggressive behavior is a history of aggression. —Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 11 May 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