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

"The Germany Fund has drawn lessons from the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine," he said.

From Barron's

Poland, however, remains a key ally of Ukraine against Russian aggression and most Western aid passes through the country.

From Barron's

In foreign policy, Podhoretz counseled that an unapologetic defense of American interests abroad is likeliest to frustrate the aggressions of bad actors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms Marshall said: "It felt almost scaremongering to me. There is almost aggression behind what he was saying - offering a fixed price, quick deadlines, 14-day turnarounds, inflated numbers."

From BBC

Carey is proving a thorn in England's side and a third Test century came with crisp drives and aggression against Jacks.

From BBC

Related Words

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