aggression
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for aggression, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use aggression
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin aggredior ("to approach, attack"), from ad- ("toward") + gradior ("to step, walk").
Full origin of aggression →Frequently asked questions
What does “aggression” mean?
The word “aggression” means hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack. In plain terms, hostile, attacking behavior, or (more loosely) forceful energy and drive.
How do you pronounce “aggression”?
“Aggression” is pronounced uh-GREH-shuhn (/əˈɡɹɛʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “aggression” in a sentence?
Here is “aggression” used in a sentence: “The invasion was widely condemned as an act of aggression.”
What is the opposite of “aggression”?
The opposite of “aggression” — its antonyms — is nonaggression.
What part of speech is “aggression”?
“Aggression” is a noun.
Where does the word “aggression” come from?
The word “aggression” comes from Latin. From Latin aggredior ("to approach, attack"), from ad- ("toward") + gradior ("to step, walk").
Is “aggression” a common word?
“Aggression” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “aggression” have?
“Aggression” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack.
What is the difference between "aggression" and "aggressiveness"?
"Aggression" usually names hostile or violent behavior, or the act of starting a conflict or attack. "Aggressiveness" more often describes a forceful, assertive quality or drive that need not be violent, such as in sports or business. The first tends to be negative; the second can be neutral or even positive.
What is the difference between "aggression" and "violence"?
Aggression is hostile behavior or the initiation of a conflict, which may or may not turn physical. Violence specifically involves physical force meant to hurt or damage. All violence is aggressive, but aggression does not always involve violence.
Can "aggression" ever be a positive trait?
In one sense, aggression describes a forceful or assertive drive that is not necessarily violent, and this can be viewed positively in competitive settings like sport or negotiation. However, its primary meaning of hostile or violent behavior is generally negative.
What prepositions are used with "aggression"?
"Aggression" is commonly followed by "against" or "toward(s)," as in "aggression against a neighbor" or "aggression toward others." The set phrase "act of aggression" is also very common in political and legal contexts.