aggress

American  

[uh-gres] / əˈgrɛs /

verb (used without object)

1. to commit the first act of hostility or offense; attack first.

2. to begin to quarrel.

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verb (used with object)

1. to behave aggressively toward; attack (often followed byupon ).

   wild animals aggressing their prey.

aggress British  

/ əˈɡrɛs /

verb

1. (intr) to attack first or begin a quarrel

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Etymology

Origin of aggress

1565–75; from Latin aggressus (past participle of aggredī “to attack”), equivalent to ag- ag- + gred- ( grade ) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

For reasons beyond my understanding, Cross, an aspiring doctor, looks up to Rutkovsky, a flinty old timer with a propensity to aggress when he feels sad or mad or basically anything.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2024

“We have superior legal title to all the land west of the Missouri River that you and/or big oil seek to trespass and aggress on,” Bear Runner wrote in the letter.

From Slate • May 3, 2019

“If he didn’t have a gun, why did he aggress toward us in that manner?”

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2017

And the actual aggress element of regular aggression doesn't have to be that aggressive.

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2011

Tending or disposed to aggress; characterized by aggression; making assaults; unjustly attacking; as, an aggressive policy, war, person, nation.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah