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
Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
The harsh band meeting – set up with Hoffs, Steele, managers and press agents – that cemented their demise is painstakingly recollected in the book as more of an ambush of the Petersons.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
In a separate incident on Saturday, insurgents ambushed security forces in the northwestern Kurram district of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, local police said.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
Sudden carnage The scale of the violence is clear in the predominantly Alawite villages near Syria’s Mediterranean coast, linked by winding roads that are ideal for ambushes.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
The harsh band meeting – set up with Hoffs, Steele, managers and press agents – that cemented their demise is painstakingly recollected in the book as more of an ambush of the Petersons.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Mahdi ambushed Orangeburg public safety officer James Myers at the officer's shed in Calhoun County in July 2004.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
In a separate incident on Saturday, insurgents ambushed security forces in the northwestern Kurram district of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, local police said.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Three decades later, the documentary Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror looks back on that day, featuring interviews with law enforcement involved in the case and victims of the attack.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In one scene from their lives, a bear trap is intentionally left for Benjy to wander into it.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Man traps woman in car for days: Police A Hawaii man was arrested for allegedly trapping an elderly woman in her car for several days and later forcing her to withdraw money from her bank account, according to the Honolulu Police Department.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Uber has said the driver gave them a different version of events, saying the driver claimed the two riders fought in the back of his car and assaulted him at the end of the trip.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Apr. 2025
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Warhorse bandmates drummer Tre Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt assaulted their instruments with their trademark goofiness and aggression, with three other touring members helping fill the massive venue with a legion of guitars and keys.—
Jeff Miller,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In addition to his work in the wind ensemble, Gael has been a key member of the marching band and indoor drumline, serving as lead snare drummer.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
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Echoing the raw feelings of heartbreak, the album is stripped back, with sparse snares and cymbals in lieu of a full drumkit.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Without the mesh, the moisture evaporates in the dry air as the temperature rises each day, but with it, the fog would be only temporarily waylaid– providing valuable fresh water to people, before it’s treated and cycled back into the ocean.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
20 Feb. 2025
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In late November, Israeli forces opened fire on looters waiting to waylay trucks in Rafah, forcing them to retreat, according to an internal U.N. memo.—
Adam Rasgon,
New York Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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There were no big Heat rotation surprises to begin the postseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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Vogue: What has surprised you most about your parenting journey?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What to know about Blue Origin after celebrity spaceflight NASA's Perseverance rover captures 'fiendish' dueling dust devils on Mars: See video What causes the Lyrid meteors?—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The case captured national attention when Shakespeare, who won a $30 million lottery prize in 2006, vanished in 2009.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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