Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for aggression

aggression

[ uh-gresh-uhn ]

noun

  1. the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state, particularly its territorial rights; an unprovoked offensive, attack, invasion, or the like:

    The army is prepared to stop any foreign aggression.

    Antonyms: peacefulness

  2. any offensive action, attack, or procedure; an inroad or encroachment:

    an aggression upon one's rights.

  3. the practice of making assaults or attacks; offensive action in general.
  4. Psychiatry. overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.


aggression

/ əˈɡrɛsə; əˈɡrɛʃən /

noun

  1. an attack or harmful action, esp an unprovoked attack by one country against another
  2. any offensive activity, practice, etc

    an aggression against personal liberty

  3. psychol a hostile or destructive mental attitude or behaviour


aggression

/ ə-grĕshən /

  1. Behavior that is meant to intimidate or injure an animal of the same species or of a competing species but is not predatory. Aggression may be displayed during mating rituals or to defend territory, as by the erection of fins by fish and feathers by birds.


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • aggressor, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • anti·ag·gression adjective
  • counter·ag·gression noun
  • preag·gression noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggression1

1605–15; < Latin aggressiōn- (stem of aggressiō ), equivalent to aggress ( us ) ( aggress ) + -iōn- -ion

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggression1

C17: from Latin aggression-, from aggrēdi to attack

Discover More

Example Sentences

They might also show problem behaviors, such as physical aggression and cheating.

They’re supposed to desire power and conflict, value only their self-interest, and be motivated by aggression.

Sometimes channeling your aggression for real injustices in the world, and integrating that into your higher-level goal, is important.

In their second matchup against the Mavericks, for example, the Raptors dialed things back considerably from the level of aggression they showed in that early-season contest.

Lots of things influence body image, or prosocial behavior, or aggression, or pick whatever you want, gender.

His hands outstretched, shoulders in submission, there was no shouting, no expletives, no aggression at all.

We ought to seek Chinese cooperation in a response to this North Korean act of aggression.

Giving in to the demands of such a leader will, without question, invite greater aggression and brutality.

Several posts showed an obvious aggression towards the women he desired.

Soviet leaders had already decried the rescue mission as an act of imperialist aggression.

You had perceived upon what measure of aggression, upon what rasping unkindnesses, the applause of your fellows was bestowed.

The whole had a combination of companionable good humor, and instant aggression when necessary.

It is the crown and apex of all bad language, the coping-stone of all systems of verbal aggression and abuse.

But German mobilization means every precaution possible for their country as well as foreign aggression.

In that capacity for aggression upon other classes lies the essential driving force of modern affairs.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


aggressaggressive