aggression
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
angry or threatening behavior that shows you are ready to fight or attack someone.
hostile or destructive behavior or attitudes, especially when expressed through physical or verbal threats.
Simple“The dog showed aggression toward the mail carrier by growling and showing its teeth.”
In context“Psychologists often distinguish between proactive aggression, which is calculated, and reactive aggression, which occurs as an impulsive response to a perceived threat.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
an attack or invasion by one country against another without a good reason.
the act of initiating hostilities or an unprovoked invasion of another nation's territory.
Simple“The international community condemned the unprovoked aggression against the smaller nation.”
In context“The treaty was designed to protect member states from external aggression and to ensure collective security in the region.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a forceful way of doing something to make sure you succeed.
forceful or assertive behavior intended to dominate a situation or achieve a competitive advantage.
Simple“The team played with great aggression and won the match in the final minutes.”
In context“In high-stakes trading, a certain level of controlled aggression is often necessary to secure the best prices before the market shifts.”
SynonymsAntonymspassivitytimidity
“Those shortages have already piqued concerns of a declining US ability to serve as deterrence against military aggression.”
“He added: “Finland is on the frontline of defending Europe against Putin’s aggression.”
From Middle French aggression, from Latin aggressio, from aggressus, past participle of aggredior (“to approach, address, attack”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.