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A person or country that initiates harmful or violent actions against another.
The UN condemned the aggressor for violating international law.
The aggressor is identified as the party responsible for starting the conflict.
In the debate, she accused her opponent of being the aggressor in the argument.
The aggressor is the one who started the confrontation or dispute.
Often used in legal, political, or military contexts to describe the instigator of conflict.
Use 'aggressor' when discussing serious conflicts, wars, or legal disputes. It is not suitable for everyday disagreements (e.g., 'He was the aggressor in the argument' is acceptable but formal).
Reserve 'aggressor' for significant or violent conflicts. Do not use it for minor disputes or playful arguments.
From Latin *aggressor*, meaning 'one who attacks,' derived from *aggressus*, past participle of *aggredi* ('to approach, attack'), combining *ad-* ('to') and *gradi* ('to step'). The word entered English in the 16th century via Old French *agresseur*.
Commonly used in formal contexts such as law, politics, or military analysis. Avoid using it casually to describe minor conflicts, as it implies significant aggression or hostility.