agresser

assault, attack (someone)

verb ah-greh-SEH Less Common

Origin: Latin aggredi (to attack)

Usage Note

Agresser specifically means to physically or verbally attack a person; it is a transitive verb (il l'a agressé — 'he attacked him'). The related noun is agression (assault) and the person who commits it is un agresseur. Distinct from attaquer, which is broader and can apply to objects or ideas.

Examples

"Il a été agressé dans la rue."

Natural Translation

He was attacked in the street.

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