aggression
uh-GRESH-un
/əˈɡreʃ.ən/
hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront.
Aggression is the most common and broad term. It can be physical (an attack) or psychological (an assertive, pushy attitude).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'aggredi', which means 'to step toward'. It combines 'ad-' (to) and 'gradi' (to step). Originally, it just meant to approach someone, but it quickly took on the meaning of approaching someone with the intent to attack.
Word relationships
- hostility: Hostility is a feeling; aggression is often the behavior that results from that feeling.
- assault: Assault is a specific physical act of aggression.
- passivity: Passivity is a lack of aggression or action.
- friendliness: Friendliness is a pleasant and helpful manner.
Commonly confused with
- assertiveness: Assertiveness is standing up for your rights in a respectful way; aggression is doing so by violating the rights of others.
Word family
- aggressive (adjective): ready to attack
- aggressor (noun): the person or country that attacks first
Collocations
- unprovoked aggression
- passive aggression
- display of aggression
Example sentences
- "Psychologists distinguish between instrumental aggression and emotional aggression." A psychology textbook.
- "The international community condemned the act of unprovoked aggression." Describing an unprovoked attack between countries.
Memory hook
Aggression is 'a-gress-ion'—stepping toward someone to start a fight. Aggredi = Step toward.
When not to use
In a high-level academic essay, try to use more specific words like 'truculence' or 'belligerence' if they fit the nuance better.
Fun facts
- The word 'degree' and 'gradient' come from the same 'gradi' (step) root.
Related words
Explore more words
confrontation, truculent, clash, retaliate, fury, altercation
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