AGGRESSION Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

aggression

noun

ə-ˈgre-shən

Definition of aggression

as in aggressiveness

an inclination to fight or quarrel though the dogs have a reputation for aggression, many of their owners insist they make gentle pets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence diplomats warned that any aggression by either side could easily turn into a full-scale war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aggression Because there are extremist groups that called for military aggression against Venezuela, and the Venezuelan people—especially those who experienced the attack first hand—felt a great deal of fear. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 That stance had raised the specter of Ukraine and Europe having to stand up to Russian aggression alone. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 So Democrats may be about to nominate someone who’s more to the left and has a high level of personal aggression and really, really, really hates Israel. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 There’s no single code for canyon carvers, leaving each of us to define our own balance of aggression and safety. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression

Noun

She’s learned how to channel her competitiveness and aggressiveness in a much better way, a more productive way.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
If Yesavage can maintain that aggressiveness over the rest of the season, the Jays won’t have to worry about their funky righty.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
On April 1, Shawnda Jackson, the girl's grandmother, said there had been six adult relatives at the house, where the girl lived with 11 relatives, when the attack happened.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

On the obverse of this hostility is a genuine love of life, at least in some of its forms.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Given the extent of the disruption to oil exports from the Middle East since the start of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, most of the hikes announced by OPEC+ since March have had a negligible impact on the physical crude market.

— Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Tracey was arrested days after the incident and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.

— Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Januchowski pleaded not guilty July 14 to three misdemeanor counts each of first-degree assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, court records state.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

No wonder the new York head coach cut quite the forlorn figure on the touchline during the closing exchanges, even allowing for his post-match words of defiance for the boo boys.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Those acts of defiance, as well as frequent protests by retirees against worsening livelihoods, have helped shatter the narrative that Iranians are united behind their country’s war against the United States and Israel.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

Palantir has gone on the offensive to combat the narrative, arguing that the AI models from Silicon Valley companies don’t perform as well and steal customers’ private data (an argument that the other companies dispute).

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Israel's military offensive in Gaza has since killed 73,375 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

The fight over the plan to sell off parts of the World Cup and other signature FIFA events to private businesses has tested that bulletproof presidency.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The vote capped off a bruising confirmation fight, with Blanche’s loyalty to Trump at the center of the stalemate.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

The Cubs offense quickly erased the 1-0 deficit behind four consecutive hitters reaching with two outs in the top of the second.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Continuing on the trial theme, the offense repped 12- and 11-personnel during the media viewing period.

— Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of offense

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aggregations

aggression

aggressions

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“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggression

noun

Example Sentences

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