noun

aggression

uh-GRESH-uhn/əˈɡreʃn/

Hostile or forceful behavior toward another person or state.

His aggression makes the other man recoil.

An angry man lunges forward with a raised fist while another man recoils with open defensive hands.

Etymology

agLatintoward

+gressLatinstep

+ionLatinaction or process

Stepping toward someone supplied the image of an approach, which also became an attack. Aggression extended from an actual attack to hostile or destructive behavior more generally.

In context

Citadel Defense4:39

You want to have that calculated Georges St-Pierre mind and that extreme aggression to finish the fight.

Minute Man Tactics: Part 5 - Offense

More examples

The speech condemned military aggression.
She responded to aggression with calm firmness.
The policy aimed to discourage aggression.

Forms

aggression

aggressive adjective — Ready to attack, confront, or press forcefully.

Similar words

hostility: Hostility can remain an attitude rather than active force.
belligerence: Belligerence emphasizes readiness to fight.