aggression

[uh-gresh-uh n] /əˈgrɛʃ ən/

noun

the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state, particularly its territorial rights; an unprovoked offensive, attack, invasion, or the like:

The army is prepared to stop any foreign aggression.

any offensive action, attack, or procedure; an inroad or encroachment:

an aggression upon one's rights.

the practice of making assaults or attacks; offensive action in general.

Psychiatry. overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.

Origin

1605-15; < Latin aggressiōn- (stem of aggressiō), equivalent to aggress(us) (see aggress) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

antiaggression, adjective

counteraggression, noun

preaggression, noun

Can be confused

aggression, egression.

Antonyms

1. peacefulness.

Examples from the web for aggression

The only way to stop that behavior is to get their attention at the same intensity as their aggression.
The drug elevates aggression levels and psychotic behavior, often generating fierce outbursts.
Quite simply, they are getting off on the behavior of aggression.
Relational aggression is finding its chroniclers among more popular writers, too.
The groups were tested for antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, and aggression.
The researchers found that workplace aggression had severe consequences on employee well-being.
And though fear can be covered in aggression as it was last night, it can't be overlooked.
Small countries don't have anything that can counter this aggression.
Quieting the aggression center also stopped mice from acting on violent urges.
In many other cases, however, there are options other than aggression in word or deed.

British Dictionary definitions for aggression

aggression

/əˈɡrɛʃən/

noun

an attack or harmful action, esp an unprovoked attack by one country against another

any offensive activity, practice, etc: an aggression against personal liberty

(psychol) a hostile or destructive mental attitude or behaviour

Derived Forms

aggressor (əˈɡrɛsə) noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin aggression-, from aggrēdi to attack

Word Origin and History for aggression

1610s, "unprovoked attack," from French aggression (16c.), from Latin aggressionem (nominative aggressio) "a going to, an attack," noun of action from past participle stem of aggredi "to approach; attack," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + gradi (past participle gressus) "to step," from gradus "a step" (see grade). Psychological sense of "hostile or destructive behavior" first recorded 1912 in A.A. Brill's translation of Freud.

aggression in Medicine

aggression ag·gres·sion (ə-grěsh'ən)
n.
Hostile or destructive behavior or actions.

aggression in Science

aggression

(ə-grěsh'ən)
Behavior that is meant to intimidate or injure an animal of the same species or of a competing species but is not predatory. Aggression may be displayed during mating rituals or to defend territory, as by the erection of fins by fish and feathers by birds.