attack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attacknext
1
as in raid
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attack

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtak How to pronounce attack (audio)
1
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slam
to criticize harshly and usually publicly the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to approach
to start work on energetically Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attack are assail, assault, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When could assail be used to replace attack?

The words assail and attack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When might assault be a better fit than attack?

Although the words assault and attack have much in common, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would bombard be a good substitute for attack?

The synonyms bombard and attack are sometimes interchangeable, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When can storm be used instead of attack?

While the synonyms storm and attack are close in meaning, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

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 attack
Noun
President Donald Trump has reinstated and expanded a travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries, citing national security concerns following a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 The administration also pointed to a recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by an immigrant from Egypt who threw gasoline bombs into a gathering of pro-Israel demonstrators, as a catalyst for the policy (however, Egypt isn’t one of the countries on the restricted list). —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
Verb
Self-defense group attacks agents The tragedy in the Artibonite region, considered the country’s breadbasket, is yet another example of Haiti’s descent into chaos and the degree to which impunity and barbarity rein as armed gangs tighten their grip. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025 Dog bite expert and forensic pathologist Dr. Marie Russell testified that markings on O'Keefe's arm were caused by dog bites and scratches, supporting the defense's claim that O'Keefe was attacked by a dog and beaten by other parties before being thrown out into the snow the night of the murder. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
  1. raid
  2. bout
  3. assault
  4. slam
  5. approach
  6. onslaught
  7. seizure
  8. storm
Noun
  • When Pride Month began The monthlong global celebration began with Gay Pride Week in late June 1970, a year after the violent police raid at New York’s Stonewall Inn, a gay bar.
    — Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Earlier in the year, CBP agents conducted a three-day raid in rural parts of Kern County targeting day laborers and Latino farmworkers.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Definition of raid
Noun
  • Michael McKenzie McCallum was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica, and began boxing as a teenager, racking up as many as 250 amateur bouts before turning pro in 1981.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • When the odds opened for this bout, Silva was listed as the +250 betting underdog to the -300 Van.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of bout
Verb
  • He was initially charged with trespass, but Habba dropped that charge last month and charged McIver with two counts of assaulting officers stemming from her role in the skirmish at the facility’s gate. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked Habba’s office after moving to dismiss the charges.
    — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • 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
Definition of assault
Verb
  • The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.
    — Abigail Adams, People.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of slam
Verb
  • Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately and do not attempt approach him.
    — Nicole Acosta, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • With cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency approaching 300,000, per Challenger, Gray & Christmas, this will be a space to watch closely as unemployment benefits and severance pay run out.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Warm ocean water in these areas can cause storms to rapidly intensify right before landfall, giving communities less time to prepare for the onslaught.
    — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 May 2025
  • The chaos the president’s tariff onslaught caused in the U.S. Treasury market quickly spread to Japan, boosting yields.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of onslaught
Noun
  • This can lead to unwanted complications, such as muscle cramps or seizures.
    — Health, Health, 28 May 2025
  • It’s been a bumper seven days for law enforcement working on cyber and dark web investigations, who have accomplished a slew of takedowns, arrests and seizures across the world.
    — Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of seizure
Verb
  • The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.
    — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Of course, there are his pardons for more than 1,500 people convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the transfer of power after Trump lost his reelection bid.
    — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2025
Definition of storm

Phrases Containing attack

Browse Nearby Words

attach (to)
attack
attack dog
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Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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