Word
aggression
Phoneticsag·gres·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈɡɹɛʃən/
UK/ɐɡɹˈɛʃən/
Definitions
01hostile behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. angry or threatening behavior that shows you are ready to fight or attack someone.
n. hostile or destructive behavior or attitudes, especially when expressed through physical or verbal threats.
“The dog showed aggression toward the mail carrier by growling and showing its teeth.”
“Psychologists often distinguish between proactive aggression, which is calculated, and reactive aggression, which occurs as an impulsive response to a perceived threat.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02military attack
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. an attack or invasion by one country against another without a good reason.
n. the act of initiating hostilities or an unprovoked invasion of another nation's territory.
“The international community condemned the unprovoked aggression against the smaller nation.”
“The treaty was designed to protect member states from external aggression and to ensure collective security in the region.”
03competitive drive
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Sports
n. a forceful way of doing something to make sure you succeed.
n. forceful or assertive behavior intended to dominate a situation or achieve a competitive advantage.
“The team played with great aggression and won the match in the final minutes.”
“In high-stakes trading, a certain level of controlled aggression is often necessary to secure the best prices before the market shifts.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aggression” in context.
Verb
01. curb aggression
“New school policies were implemented to curb aggression in the playground.”
verb + noun
02. display aggression
“The animal may display aggression if it feels cornered or threatened.”
verb + noun
03. vent one's aggression
“He joined a boxing gym to vent his aggression in a controlled environment.”
verb + possessive + noun
Adjective
04. passive aggression
“Her passive aggression made it difficult for the team to resolve the conflict openly.”
adj + noun
05. pent-up aggression
“Years of frustration resulted in a sudden outburst of pent-up aggression.”
adj + noun
06. unprovoked aggression
“The nation condemned the act of unprovoked aggression against its neighbor.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. act of aggression
“The border crossing was viewed by the international community as an act of aggression.”
noun + of + noun
08. aggression levels
“Researchers monitored the subjects' aggression levels during the competitive task.”
noun + noun
Preposition
09. out of aggression
“He didn't hit the wall out of aggression, but rather out of pure clumsiness.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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