as in invader
one that starts armed conflict against another especially without reasonable cause
a group of smaller states had formed an alliance to deter potential aggressors
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Recent Examples of aggressor
The outcome will also influence other would-be aggressors’ appetites for territorial expansion and imperialism, which have remained mostly dormant since the end of World War II.
—
Andrew Kosenko, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
The post-match comments about being the aggressor were a couple of hours too late.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Rocky’s legal team claims that Ephron was the aggressor in the situation and that Rocky used a prop gun that shot blanks to break up a scuffle between Ephron and his team.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Other potential aggressors will take heed, thus ultimately strengthening the liberal order rather than undermining it.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aggressor 
Andrew Kosenko, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
The post-match comments about being the aggressor were a couple of hours too late.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Rocky’s legal team claims that Ephron was the aggressor in the situation and that Rocky used a prop gun that shot blanks to break up a scuffle between Ephron and his team.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Other potential aggressors will take heed, thus ultimately strengthening the liberal order rather than undermining it.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aggressor
Thesaurus Entries Near aggressor
Cite this Entry
“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressor. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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