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attack

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verb

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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
If its conversion from a Type 003 attack submarine into a ballistic missile submarine proves to be successful, its initial operational debut could come within the next six to 12 months. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 And given that the English top flight jumped above the Bundesliga for the number of direct attacks per game last season, players who can be decisive at speed will continue to command premium prices. Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Verb
In comparison, 675 mail carriers in California were bitten or attacked by dogs in 2022. Sarah Linn july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025 Ramirez was sentenced in 2020 for attacking a man outside a Whole Foods the previous year, the AP reported, citing a police interview with a Los Angeles TV station. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
  • The details of a raid can be useful for the non-citzen’s legal case.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • The early morning police raid in a home near the Azalea Park neighborhood also turned up two handguns, ammunition, narcotics and more than $1,000 in cash.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The main card features a number of other fantastic matchups, including a middleweight bout between Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov as well as a welterweight fight between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • In the headlining bout, BMF champ Max Holloway faces Dustin Poirier for the third time.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 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
Verb
  • Economic Trends First time and affordable home buyers are getting slammed.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Kevin Hassett, director of the White House’s National Economic Council and seen as a front-runner to be Powell’s successor, has also slammed the Fed for its renovation project, but he’s stopped short of saying the central bank should bend to Trump’s will.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Surveillance video appears to show a man in a white shirt — later identified by cops as Mora Nunez — get off the moped and approach them from behind, gun in hand.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
  • Newsweek approached the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice for comment.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • An onslaught of aerial/high-rise scenes that even Pink would find excessive?
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
  • Topline More than half of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the federal government’s documents detailing its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new poll that comes as Trump is facing an onslaught of backlash from his base over the issue.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Exposure can lead to vomiting, slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat and seizures.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue.
    Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The relative said female family members who survived the massacre recalled how militants had stormed the family’s multi-story home early in the morning, prompting the residents to fight back in defense.
    Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
  • In that way, camp couldn’t be more different than a year ago, before the Broncos stormed to a 10-7 mark and a playoff appearance and nearly doubled the general range of wins that bookmakers pegged them for.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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