ambush 1 of 2

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

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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

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ambush

2 of 2

verb

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ambush
Noun
Unlike many other raptors that rely on sudden ambush attacks, the gyrfalcon excels at long chases across tundra and icy terrain, often locking onto prey and keeping pursuit until the target is exhausted. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Waiting in ambush uses power, and the drone’s battery will have been running down. David Hambling, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
The story in popular culture was that Pusser took his 33-year-old wife with him, and they were ambushed. Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Tulsa firefighter-medics were ambushed and shot at earlier this month while treating a victim in Oklahoma, Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker said on KOTV-News. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
  • The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • His campaign has said Trump's online attacks often result in new campaign donors.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Undervaluing Yourself To Avoid Conflict Many professionals, especially those early in their careers, fall into the trap of lowballing their worth out of fear.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • That’s the trap with a character like this — writing to a joke versus writing to her worldview and her attitude.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Two 32-year-old men were assaulted and left with minor injuries.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 21 July 2025
  • After the vehicle became disabled, bystanders in the crowd dragged the driver outside the car and began to physically assault them, according to police.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • And Gemma and her cohorts are forced to develop new technologically advanced gizmos in a hurry and repurpose items on the fly in order to do battle with enemies amid the snares and dangers of these elaborate settings.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
  • Wolves are killed across the Northern Rockies using steel-jawed traps, neck snares, packs of dogs and even snowmobiles.
    Jim Martin, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • But what was expected to pass the lower chamber with relative ease on July 17 has been waylaid by other, unrelated legislative debates, including growing calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein case files.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 18 July 2025
  • Then again, Joel also waylaid band members (like drummer Liberty DeVitto, still somewhat embittered about the way he was cast aside during the making of River of Dreams) and loyal producer, Phil Ramone, after deciding to move on from them later in his life.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Bruce Brigham, the business's president, said Howie Glass had been a Midwest Glass customer for about 30 years and they were surprised by the closure news.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • The harmonious blend of savory premium ground beef, the depth of rich cocoa, and the bold notes of robust coffee create a flavor symphony that surprises and delights even the most experienced palates.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Accordingly, Osbourne’s music captured the viewpoint of someone out of touch with their own mind, whose good intentions are thwarted by terrible urges.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
  • The case captured national attention because of its controversy.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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