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

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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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday attended a summit of European leaders who share his concerns about Russian aggression and Moscow’s wider plans on the continent. — ABC News, 16 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 Wright may not have taken the traditional academy route, but since his arrival, the throwback No 9, who combines aggression with clever movement and an eye for goal, has impressed those at the club. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggression

Noun

Furthermore, CNNs are exceeding in disease detection and predicting disease aggressiveness and patient prognosis.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
So will the aggressiveness of the defender after giving up a rebound.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

On three separate occasions in the past week, Ukraine didn’t receive early warnings about missile attacks.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
OpenCode had been running its defense with an OpenAI model, which started to refuse its requests in the middle of the attack.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Lula seized on these acts as meddling in the campaign, and as an assault on Brazilian sovereignty encouraged by the Bolsonaro family.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
All this was happening with a coincident and successful assault of affirmative action in higher education.

— Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

These women — cradle Catholics and converts, former nuns, teachers, hospice chaplains, counselors, spouses, mothers, grandmothers — say their defiance is the fulfillment of a vocation, no different than the call answered by their male counterparts.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Taking the Long Way, more than anger or defiance, zeroes in on the sting of being ousted from your own home.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

Ukrainian officials say that the offensive has disrupted Russia’s assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, key Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region.

— Anastasiia Parafeniuk, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Leaders contemplating an October surprise or an offensive after the midterms must remember that uncomfortable truth.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Trump's belligerence reinvigorated Canada's Liberal Party, with Mark Carney winning the April 2025 election to continue on as prime minister.

— Chris Brennan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Unfortunately, however, the warmth and love of the old pub-rocking 101’ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of belligerence

Noun

The offenses, said the Met Police, are alleged to have taken place between 2007 and 2016 and relate to five women.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
The offense often came into focus late in games once Hopkins stepped on the field as the team’s striker.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

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aggregations

aggression

aggressions

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Style

“Aggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggression. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggression

noun

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