French Conversation · Level 50
74 words
French word
agresseur
Pronunciation
IPA/agʁɛsœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounattacker
Example
La police a arrêté l'agresseur hier soir.
The police arrested the attacker last night.
More examples
Les voisins ont entendu des cris et ont vu l'agresseur s'enfuir.
The neighbors heard cries and saw the assailant flee.
Core concept
The identifiable source of an attack, whether through force or hostile words.
Common phrases
l'agresseur
the assailant
l'agresseur présumé
the alleged assailant
Similar words
assaillant: A person who suddenly attacks someone and uses violence.
attaquant: A person who actively attacks an opponent.
harceleur: A person who persistently harasses and troubles someone.
Definition in French
Personne qui porte une attaque contre une autre personne, par violence physique ou par des paroles.
Word origin
The noun agresseur is an agent formation from agresser with -eur, and agresser is related to Latin aggredi, which combines the idea of moving toward with that of attacking.
Usage tips
- Agresseur can identify a specific attacker, whereas agressif usually characterizes a person, manner, or behavior as aggressive.