aggressor

noun

ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgre-sər How to pronounce aggressor (audio)
: one that commits or practices aggression

Examples of aggressor in a Sentence

Each country accused the other of being the aggressor. a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors
Recent Examples on the Web The detective determined that Quiroga was, in fact, the aggressor, according to the report. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Hate crimes, which are predicated on the state of mind of the aggressor, are challenging to prove in court. Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The idea that the victim of the attack serves as its instigator by forcing the hand of the aggressor is central to all of Putin’s explanations for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 However, after surveillance video showed that Young was not the aggressor in the altercation, the charges were quickly dismissed. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2024 Mays’ sister said the group that approached them were the aggressors. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Attorney Joseph Vaccaro, who represented Hudson during his trial, had argued that Dawson was the aggressor and that Hudson and Davila immediately returned fire in self-defense. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2024 Authoritarian aggressors connect the dots, even if not all Western strategists do. Daniel Twining, National Review, 23 Jan. 2024 At the top of Wednesday night's game plan: be the aggressor. The Courier-Journal, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aggressor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "attacker, assailant," from aggredī, adgredī "to approach, attack" + -tor, agent suffix — more at aggress

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aggressor was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near aggressor

Cite this Entry

“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggressor. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aggressor

noun
ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgres-ər How to pronounce aggressor (audio)
: a person or country that attacks without reasonable cause

Medical Definition

aggressor

noun
ag·​gres·​sor ə-ˈgres-ər How to pronounce aggressor (audio)
: one who exhibits aggression

More from Merriam-Webster on aggressor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!