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

Miami came out after the break with more aggression, and Messi briefly pulling the strings, firing another shot just over the crossbar.

From Barron's

Even the most successful contemporary sanctions, against Iraq in 1990-91, didn’t reverse Baghdad’s aggression against Kuwait, which required military force.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution," he said, though he added that "Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression".

From Barron's

"We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution," he said, though he said "Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression".

From Barron's

Children also are on screens more than ever, which is believed to contribute to more anxiety, depression, aggression and hyperactivity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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