aggression
aggression — noun
1. angry feelings or actions, such as shouting, threatening, or hurting someone, th
angry feelings or actions, such as shouting, threatening, or hurting someone, that show a person or animal wants to fight or do harm.
Yusuf learned to control his aggression after taking anger management classes.
control + aggression: managing one's own hostile behaviour
The trainer warned us that the rescue dog might show aggression towards strangers.
show aggression towards + somebody
Bullying, name-calling, and shoving are all forms of aggression in the schoolyard.
Una was shocked by the aggression in her brother's voice during the argument.
Studies suggest that lack of sleep can increase aggression in young children.
- hostility
more about an unfriendly attitude than physical action
- violence
stronger; implies physical force and harm, not just threats
- belligerence
formal; emphasises eagerness to argue or fight
- gentleness
describes a calm, kind manner toward others
- passivity
the opposite tendency: not reacting or fighting back
文法句型
show aggression (towards somebody)
act of aggression
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable in this sense; never use 'an aggression' or 'aggressions'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense covers everyday hostile behaviour by a person or animal, whereas sense 2 refers to a military or political attack.
常見錯誤
2. a violent attack by one country on another, especially when the attacker had not
a violent attack by one country on another, especially when the attacker had not been threatened first; also used for similar attacks in international politics.
The United Nations condemned the invasion as an act of aggression against a neighbouring state.
an act of aggression against + country
After the war, both governments signed a non-aggression treaty along the eastern border.
non-aggression treaty / pact
Smaller nations often form alliances to protect themselves from foreign aggression.
The general insisted that the troop movement was a defence measure, not aggression.
Historians still debate which country was responsible for the first act of aggression in 1939.
- defence
actions taken to protect rather than attack
- neutrality
policy of taking no side and launching no attack
文法句型
an act of aggression
aggression against [country]
用法筆記
Used in news, history, and diplomacy. Often appears as 'an act of aggression' (countable) when naming a single attack, and as 'foreign / military aggression' (uncountable) when speaking generally. Subject is normally a country, army, or government, not an ordinary person.