Aggressor is a term that is commonly used to describe a person or a country that initiates or starts a conflict, an attack or an act of aggression. The term aggressor is often used in the context of international relations, military conflicts, and legal disputes. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, and associations of the term aggressor.
Definitions
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an aggressor is “a person or country that initiates hostilities or makes an unprovoked attack.” Merriam-Webster defines an aggressor as “a person or group that attacks first or initiates hostilities.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an aggressor as “a person or country that starts a fight or war.”
Origin
The word aggressor comes from the Latin word aggressus, which means “to attack.” The term was first used in English in the mid-17th century, and it has been used ever since to describe a person or a country that initiates an attack or a conflict.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of the term aggressor is similar in different dictionaries. However, some dictionaries may provide additional information or nuances. For example, the Merriam-Webster dictionary notes that an aggressor is a person or group that attacks first or initiates hostilities “especially without justification.” The Oxford English Dictionary notes that an aggressor is a person or country that initiates hostilities or makes an unprovoked attack “in breach of international law.”
Associations
The term aggressor is often associated with negative connotations, as it implies that the person or country that initiates an attack or a conflict is in the wrong. The term is often used in the context of military conflicts and international relations, where the aggressor is seen as the one who is responsible for starting the conflict.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms of the term aggressor, including attacker, assailant, invader, and initiator. These terms all describe a person or a group that initiates an attack or a conflict.
Antonyms
The antonyms of the term aggressor include defender, protector, and peacemaker. These terms describe a person or a group that is trying to prevent or stop a conflict or an attack.
The same root words
The root word of aggressor is aggress, which means “to attack” or “to make the first move.” Other words that have the same root include aggression, aggressive, and aggressiveness.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the term aggressor:
- The United Nations condemned the aggressor for starting the war.
- The police arrested the aggressor for assaulting the victim.
- The country was forced to defend itself against the aggressor’s attack.
- The aggressor was found guilty of starting the fight.
- The coach warned his players not to be the aggressor in the game.