aggression

[uh-gresh-uhn]

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.

aggression

/ 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

aggression

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggression¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggression¹

C17: from Latin aggression-, from aggrēdi to attack

Example Sentences

"She's constructed somebody who doesn't have a filter, and that's partly because of what she's been through in life, and being the victim of aggression," said Craig.

Read more on BBC

A 2022 systemic review of 87 studies found increased screen time was modestly associated with higher levels of aggression, inattention, anxiety, depression and behavioral problems.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

There was no immediate response from Venezuela but its president, Nicolás Maduro, has previously condemned the strikes and said his country will defend itself against US "aggression".

Read more on BBC

It was the first time a scientist had witnessed organized aggression by one group of non-human primates against another.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Think of it — it could happen — as an epidemic of passive aggression against a brazenly aggressive president.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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