noun
Common
aggression
uh-GREH-shuhn
Aggression (noun) means Hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack. Example: “The coach warned his team that aggression on the pitch would not be tolerated.”
noun
1
Hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack.
"The coach warned his team that aggression on the pitch would not be tolerated."
"The invasion was widely condemned as an act of aggression."
"The dog showed signs of aggression toward strangers."
2
A forceful or assertive drive, not necessarily violent.
"The coach wanted more aggression from the midfield, but without any fouls."
"She channeled her aggression into competitive sport."
"The team played with real aggression in the second half."
How to use aggression
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHostile, attacking behavior, or (more loosely) forceful energy and drive.
Common pairings
act of aggression
show aggression
passive aggression
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Word forms
- Plural
- aggressions
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The coach warned his team that _____ on the pitch would not be tolerated.
Etymology
From Latin aggredior ("to approach, attack"), from ad- ("toward") + gradior ("to step, walk").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonaggression
Related words
Rhymes for aggression
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
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