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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggressor
The laws of neutrality don’t distinguish between aggressor and victim, because those distinctions are not always clear-cut.
—
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
This could identify Israel as the aggressor.
—Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
As history demonstrates, peace deals can be thrown overboard when an aggressor senses an opportunity to gain advantage.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In his dueling closing argument, Cardi’s lawyer, Peter Anderson, told jurors that Ellis was the aggressor.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
This could identify Israel as the aggressor.
—Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
As history demonstrates, peace deals can be thrown overboard when an aggressor senses an opportunity to gain advantage.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In his dueling closing argument, Cardi’s lawyer, Peter Anderson, told jurors that Ellis was the aggressor.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggressor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggressor
Noun
-
The strongest warriors slept in the rooms closest to the doors to protect the community from invaders.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Yet we are also invited to see the Trojans, not the native Italians, as the eastern, luxury-loving imperialist invaders who oppress a noble rustic people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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The raiders kill many vault residents and kidnap her father Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), so the sheltered Lucy sets out on a quest to find him.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Now that someone has DIED FBI has stepped up while my Brothers attacker is wearing an ankle monitor Homeless in Charlotte with ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES.—
Andrew Dys,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
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In 2023, 43% of all cyber attacks targeted small businesses, highlighting how attackers are actively exploiting the security gaps that come with limited budgets and smaller IT teams.—
Ro'ee Margalit,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggressor. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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