Angreifende

Angreifende is a German term formed from the verb angreifen (to attack). It functions as both a present participle used as an adjective and as a nominalized participle that can refer to people or groups who attack. In practice it denotes attackers or aggressors, or more generally those who carry out an attack. The form is flexible: as an adjective it can modify nouns (angreifende Kräfte, angreifende Mannschaft). As a noun, the plural die Angreifenden is common, meaning “the attackers,” while singular forms such as der Angreifende are used to denote a single attacker in contexts where gender is specified.

Grammatical notes: Angreifende is capitalized when used as a noun, since nominalized participles are treated as nouns in German. The more common term for a single attacker is Angreifer; Angreifende is especially frequent in formal, journalistic, or descriptive contexts.

Examples: Der Angreifende zog sein Schwert. Die Angreifenden begannen den Angriff. Die angreifende Mannschaft drückte früh aufs Tor. These illustrate its use as a descriptor of action or as a noun referring to attackers.

Verwendung: The connotation is neutral to descriptive, though context can imply aggression. In military or legal texts it may be paired with clarifications like Angreifer or Aggressor. Etymologie: from angreifen + -ende, related to Angriff (attack).