aggressor

American  

[uh-gres-er] / əˈgrɛs ər /

noun

1. a person, group, or nation that attacks first or initiates hostilities; an assailant or invader.

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Etymology

Origin of aggressor

1670–80; < Late Latin, Latin aggred- (stem of aggredī to attack; aggress ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Will then lurches into a tut-tutting recapitulation of the French army chief of staff’s public statement that his nation’s people must accept the risk of losing their children to protect France from an unnamed aggressor.

From Salon

But only the most audacious investors will commit capital to aggressors with such a tarnished global standing.

From Barron's

But only the most audacious investors will commit capital to aggressors with such a tarnished global standing.

From Barron's

Instances where someone accidentally kills a bystander while defending against an aggressor “are the responsibility of the criminal perpetrator,” the foundation said, not of the person engaged in legitimate self-defense.

From The Wall Street Journal

"When Mitchell Starc comes into the attack, he's the aggressor and has to take wickets," added Vaughan, who captained England to an Ashes series victory in 2005.

From BBC

Related Words

• assailant
• intruder
• invader
• trespasser