1
as in attack
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
revolutionaries laid in ambush for the king along the route his carriage would travel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
thinking that he was getting into his assigned limousine, the diplomat did not realize that he was the victim of an ambush as he was being lured into his captor's car
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to attack
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise
the king's enemies planned to ambush the royal coach on the way to Paris and capture the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambush
Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Kathy Griffin accuses Stephen Colbert of conducting ambush interview.
—FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025
Ron Elving, NPR, 17 May 2025
The snake uses large eyes in daylight and heat-sensing divots along its lips in darkness to detect and ambush unlucky birds, bats and rodents that come too close, stopping their hearts with a muscular embrace.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
The South African delegation expected a confrontational meeting, but nothing could have prepared them for the ambush that awaited them.
—Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Kathy Griffin accuses Stephen Colbert of conducting ambush interview.
—FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
But on March 30, 1981, a disturbed young man ambushed Reagan leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel and shot him at close range.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 17 May 2025
The snake uses large eyes in daylight and heat-sensing divots along its lips in darkness to detect and ambush unlucky birds, bats and rodents that come too close, stopping their hearts with a muscular embrace.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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Try supplements: Certain supplements, such as Riboflavin and CoQ10, can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.—
Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
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The decision came just days after an Egyptian man in Colorado was arrested and charged with carrying out an attack on a group honoring hostages being held in Gaza.—
Hamed Aleaziz,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
Noun
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During their surveys, researchers set up mist nets of various sizes and waited to see what flew into the traps, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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What seems to be an inert plant, a part of the ecological background, suddenly becomes an inescapable trap.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Diddy trial recap: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere Supporting others Thurston aims to document her journey to recovery in the hope of helping others.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Two percent said they had been physically assaulted.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
Noun
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For instance, the researchers uncovered an incident from 2008, when scientists had observed a male chimp freeing an unrelated female from a nylon snare set by hunters to trap game.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 May 2025
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Wild chimpanzees have been observed self-medicating their wounds with plants, providing medical aid to other chimps and even removing others from snares left by human hunters, new research suggests.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
14 May 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump’s massive bill package, dubbed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ contains a proposal that could significantly waylay a burgeoning movement to regulate artificial intelligence on the state level.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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If you’re waylaid by a technical snag, email the smart people at [email protected] for help.—
Melissa Clark,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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But none of them have surprised me with their brilliance.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Today's teen slang might seem like complete gibberish, but you may be surprised by how many terms echo phrases from the past.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
3 June 2025
Verb
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This collection was taken by National Park Service photographers, who have captured federal public lands and wild critters across the Western U.S.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
6 June 2025
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The police video, captured on the officer’s body camera, shows that Elias then turned to his right and started running toward the officer.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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