aggression
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.
any offensive action, attack, or procedure; an inroad or encroachment: an aggression upon one's rights.
the practice of making assaults or attacks; offensive action in general.
Psychiatry. overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.
Origin of aggression
1Opposites for aggression
Other words from aggression
- an·ti·ag·gres·sion, adjective
- coun·ter·ag·gres·sion, noun
- pre·ag·gres·sion, noun
Words that may be confused with aggression
- aggression , egression
Words Nearby aggression
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use aggression in a sentence
His hands outstretched, shoulders in submission, there was no shouting, no expletives, no aggression at all.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face? | Goldie Taylor | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe ought to seek Chinese cooperation in a response to this North Korean act of aggression.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea | Shane Harris, Tim Mak | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGiving in to the demands of such a leader will, without question, invite greater aggression and brutality.
The Sony Hack and America’s Craven Capitulation To Terror | David Keyes | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSeveral posts showed an obvious aggression towards the women he desired.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website | Brandy Zadrozny | December 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSoviet leaders had already decried the rescue mission as an act of imperialist aggression.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis | Nina Strochlic | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
You had perceived upon what measure of aggression, upon what rasping unkindnesses, the applause of your fellows was bestowed.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian SharmanThe whole had a combination of companionable good humor, and instant aggression when necessary.
The Woman Gives | Owen JohnsonIt is the crown and apex of all bad language, the coping-stone of all systems of verbal aggression and abuse.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian SharmanBut German mobilization means every precaution possible for their country as well as foreign aggression.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia AustrianIn that capacity for aggression upon other classes lies the essential driving force of modern affairs.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
British Dictionary definitions for aggression
/ (əˈɡrɛʃən) /
an attack or harmful action, esp an unprovoked attack by one country against another
any offensive activity, practice, etc: an aggression against personal liberty
psychol a hostile or destructive mental attitude or behaviour
Origin of aggression
1Derived forms of aggression
- aggressor (əˈɡrɛsə), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for aggression
[ ə-grĕsh′ən ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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