aggresses
Initiates an assault
Aggresses is the third-person singular present tense of aggress, a relatively uncommon verb meaning to initiate hostility or attack.
While aggression and aggressive appear constantly in English, the verb form is rare and sounds formal or technical.
The country that aggresses first bears responsibility for the conflict.
Most speakers would choose "attacks" or "acts aggressively" instead.
Insulting provocation
- goadIncite to action
- incitementProvoking unlawful behavior
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
- instigateCause to begin
provoke · bait · harassment · badger · pester · foment · stir · rouse
Violent offensive act
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- raidSudden armed incursion
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- onslaughtFierce, overwhelming assault
strike · charge · incursion · barrage · combat · engagement · battle · siege
Active opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- maliceIntent to cause harm
spite · venom · vitriol · acrimony · ire · wrath · rage · fury
Unauthorized entry onto property
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- breachBreaking of agreement
- infringementViolation of rights
incursion · penetration · overstepping · infiltration · transgression · advance · territorial · boundary violation
taunt
Insulting provocation
- goadIncite to action
- incitementProvoking unlawful behavior
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
instigate · provoke · bait · harassment · badger · pester · foment · stir · rouse · enrage
assault
Violent offensive act
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- raidSudden armed incursion
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
onslaught · strike · charge · incursion · barrage · combat · engagement · battle · siege · blitz
antagonism
Active opposition or hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
malice · spite · venom · vitriol · acrimony · ire · wrath · rage · fury · hostile
trespass
Unauthorized entry onto property
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- breachBreaking of agreement
infringement · incursion · penetration · overstepping · infiltration · transgression · advance · territorial · boundary violation · expansionism
aggressesdefends
Acts to protect
protects · shields · guards · safeguards · shelters
aggressesretreats
Backs off or sanctuaries
withdraws · yields · backs down · submits · capitulates
aggressespacifies
Brings to calm
conciliates · appeases · makes peace · reconciles · soothes
- passive aggressiveIndirectly expressing resentment
- aggressive driverHostile motorist on highways
- aggressive behaviorHostile or threatening conduct
- non-aggression pactAgreement to avoid conflict
- aggressive treatmentForceful medical intervention
- aggressive marketingForceful promotional methods
aggressive, aggression, aggressor, unaggressive, aggressors, nonaggression, nonaggressive, aggress, aggressing