Aggression — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈgre-shən/ ag·gres·sion

Meaning & Definition of Aggression

Aggression (noun)

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

Aggression (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an inclination to fight or quarrel

    "though the dogs have a reputation for aggression, many of their owners insist they make gentle pets"

    similar: aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, belligerency, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness, feistiness, fight, militance, militancy, militantness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, scrappiness, truculence, chip on one's shoulder
    related: antagonism, fierceness, hostility, hyperaggressiveness, unfriendliness, imperialism, jingoism, militarism, acidity, biliousness, captiousness, crankiness, crossness, disagreeableness, fractiousness, fretfulness, grouchiness, grumpiness, huffiness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, irritableness, orneriness, peevishness, pettishness, petulance, querulousness, rudeness, surliness, testiness, waspishness
    opposite: nonaggression, pacifism
    near: antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism, affability, amiability, amicability, benevolence, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, graciousness, pleasantness, sociability, gentleness, kindliness, mildness, amenability, complaisance, placability

  2. 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"

    similar: assault, attack, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense, offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike
    related: ambuscade, ambush, counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike, sally, sortie, envelopment, flanking, breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion, pillage, ravage, sack, air raid, bombardment, bombing, siege, storm, barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley, whammy
    near: defense, defensive, guard, shield, opposition, resistance, protection, security, shelter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Aggression

The most common words with a similar meaning to Aggression:

aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, belligerency, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness, feistiness, fight, militance, militancy, militantness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, scrappiness, truculence, assault, attack, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense, offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike, chip on one's shoulder

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Aggression

Words with the opposite meaning of Aggression:

nonaggression, pacifism

Related Words for Aggression

antagonism, fierceness, hostility, hyperaggressiveness, unfriendliness, imperialism, jingoism, militarism, acidity, biliousness, captiousness, crankiness, crossness, disagreeableness, fractiousness, fretfulness, grouchiness, grumpiness, huffiness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, irritableness, orneriness, peevishness, pettishness, petulance, querulousness, rudeness, surliness

Near Antonyms of Aggression

antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism, affability, amiability, amicability, benevolence, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, graciousness, pleasantness, sociability, gentleness, kindliness, mildness, amenability, complaisance, placability, defense, defensive, guard, shield, opposition, resistance, protection, security, shelter

Origin & Etymology of Aggression

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 aggress

First known use: 1611

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Aggression

Words & Phrases Containing Aggression

anti-aggression, counteraggression

Frequently Asked Questions about Aggression

What does "Aggression" mean?

"Aggression" means a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master. As a noun, it is defined as: a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Aggression"?

Other words for "Aggression" include aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, belligerency, combativeness, contentiousness and defiance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Aggression" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Aggression"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Aggression". Common alternatives include aggressiveness, assaultiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, belligerency, combativeness, contentiousness, defiance, disputatiousness and feistiness.

What is the opposite of "Aggression"?

Antonyms of "Aggression" include nonaggression and pacifism. Near antonyms include antiaggression, anti-imperialism, antimilitarism and affability.

How do you use "Aggression" in a sentence?

Examples of "Aggression" in a sentence: "though the dogs have a reputation for aggression, many of their owners insist they make gentle pets"; "diplomats warned that any aggression by either side could easily turn into a full-scale war".

Is "Aggression" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Aggression" is a noun.

Is "Aggression" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Aggression" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Aggression"?

"Aggression" is pronounced /ə-ˈgre-shən/ and divided into syllables as ag·gres·sion.