aggression

American  

[uh-gresh-uhn] / əˈgrɛʃ ən /

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.

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aggression British  

/ 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

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aggression Scientific  

/ ə-grĕsh′ən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• aggressor noun
• antiaggression adjective
• counteraggression noun
• preaggression noun

Etymology

Origin of aggression

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

Example Sentences

Iranian president Pezeshkian said that his country would need guarantees "required to prevent repetition of the aggression" in order for the conflict to end.

From BBC

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country has the "necessary will" to put an end to the war but demanded certain guarantees to prevent the recurrence of any future aggression.

From BBC

Pentagon officials also consider countering what they call Chinese aggression in the first island chain as a key goal.

From The Wall Street Journal

In September last year, Pakistan signed a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, agreeing that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both".

From BBC

French carmaker Renault said on Monday it was developing a ground-based drone for military and civilian use as Europe scrambles to boost weapons production in the face of Russian aggression.

From Barron's

Related Words

• assault
• encroachment
• invasion
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid