aggression

USAGE SUMMARY

"aggression" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when talking about hostile or violent behavior or attitudes. Example sentence: The aggressive driver drove recklessly, endangering the lives of other drivers on the road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's been a lot of aggression [in my recent work].

The Guardian - Film

Levels of customer service are still probably the worst of any European capital, but truly egregious rudeness and aggression are now the exception rather than the norm, as a whole generation of Muscovites who have travelled the world no longer find surly, Soviet-style service acceptable at home.

The Guardian

On the other, he just looks a total tool when he accuses politicians and the media of obfuscating and ducking questions when he then does precisely the same, and with added bully-boy petulant aggression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The EU described the Russian seizure of Crimea this week as "an act of aggression" – but it does not know how to respond.

The Guardian

There was shouting and aggression from the crowd about the men who had disrupted the voting.

The Guardian

Then again, you wouldn't want to take away too much of that raw aggression or remove much of that swagger, the kind of boundless energy that simply saved 2013 for Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Sport

The list of internationally approved war crimes indictments drawn up by the commission cover important modern categories of crimes, including aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, modes of liability – including that of mid-level perpetrators - and international procedures, as well as the development of international criminal justice as a whole.

The Guardian

So British parties are forced by their habits and the defects of our political culture – and by the aggression of a partisan media – to lead a Jekyll and Hyde existence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than opportunists and careerists, and hatred and aggression filling politics, the SNP showed they could do social justice, whether they're to the left, right or upside down.

The Guardian

We see children suffering from anxiety, low moods, or difficult behaviour – such as anger and aggression.

The Guardian

That's possible - those types of viewers typically claim to dislike excess confrontation in politics, and what made Romney effective was that his aggression was restrained and respectful - but ultimately, Americans, their claims to the contrary notwithstanding, respond viscerally to alpha dominance in their political leaders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aggression" to describe not just physical acts, but also verbal and psychological forms of hostility.

Common error

Avoid using "aggression" to describe minor disagreements or competitive situations. Reserve it for instances involving genuine hostility and intent to harm.

Linguistic Context

The word "aggression" functions primarily as a noun, denoting hostile or violent behavior or attitudes. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from describing international conflicts to personal interactions, aligning with its dictionary definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

17%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Film

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "aggression" is a commonly used noun that describes hostile or violent behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. While frequently encountered in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion contexts, it's essential to use it judiciously, reserving it for scenarios involving genuine hostility. Alternatives like "hostility" or "violence" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Avoid overusing "aggression" in mild conflict situations to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostility

Focuses more on animosity and antagonism than the act of initiating conflict.

violence

Emphasizes the physical harm and destructive actions.

assault

Highlights a sudden and forceful attack.

attack

A general term for initiating harmful or offensive action.

belligerence

Stresses a warlike or aggressively hostile nature.

offensive

Focuses on the act of taking the initiative in a conflict.

provocation

Highlights the act of instigating conflict or aggression.

encroachment

Implies a gradual or subtle act of aggression or intrusion.

infringement

Stresses the violation of rights or boundaries.

coercion

Focuses on using force or threats to compel someone.

FAQs

How to use "aggression" in a sentence?

You can use "aggression" to describe hostile behavior, such as "The country's act of "aggression" led to international condemnation" or "The player's "aggression" on the field resulted in a penalty".

What can I say instead of "aggression"?

You can use alternatives like "hostility", "violence", or "attack" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "aggression" or "aggressiveness"?

"Aggression" is a noun that refers to hostile or violent behavior, while "aggressiveness" is also a noun but refers to the quality of being aggressive. The correct choice depends on whether you're describing an action or a characteristic.

What's the difference between "aggression" and "violence"?

"Aggression" encompasses a broader range of hostile behaviors, including verbal and psychological, whereas "violence" typically refers to physical force intended to cause harm.