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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attack
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
After the attack, the juvenile creature was seen floating lifeless in the water, video footage shows.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
For instance, a trans person is more likely to be attacked, but for a Black trans person, the numbers are astronomical.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attack
Noun
The attack on Ras Isa Fuel Port marked a widening of the U.S. bombing campaign, which had previously targeted Houthi forces and their command centers elsewhere in Yemen.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
After the attack, the juvenile creature was seen floating lifeless in the water, video footage shows.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
The move, which came late Tuesday after the White House hours earlier attacked the press over coverage of Trump’s administration agenda, sparked outrage from the White House Correspondents’ Association and other press freedom groups.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
For instance, a trans person is more likely to be attacked, but for a Black trans person, the numbers are astronomical.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
-
The police, several older unhoused people explained to me, were making their lives increasingly difficult by staging regular raids.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lessons learned While many countries were hit by U.S. tariffs this month for the first time, China honed its response during previous bouts of the Sino-American trade war.—
Beijing and Washington Bureaus,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Mary had experienced previous mental-health dips—two bouts of postpartum depression, for instance.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Paxton and Cornyn have traded barbs back and forth for years, with the attorney general slamming Cornyn’s votes in favor of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine and bipartisan legislation on gun safety following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
-
During their drive back to the house, Leo slams on the brakes.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After an hour spent watching her team practice in late fall 2024, Chiles approached Coach McDonald.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
In a recent video shared by the shelter, Shawn lit up as a volunteer approached his kennel.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Well, that portion of the proclamation has spurred quite an onslaught of chuckles and guffaws.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
For whatever reason, the default federal approach has been to assume that U.S. taxpayers should help pay for any efforts needed to slow the sewage onslaught from Tijuana.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This can include damage to credit scores, along with the prospect of penalties and collection activities including the seizure of wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security benefits.—
Robert Farrington,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Oregon Health Authority tracks xylazine, along with other illicit drugs, via mortalities and drug seizures.—
Meira Gebel,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Such is the case with this 15-minute fictionalized short inspired by the traumatic aftermath of a real event — when a group of Proud Boys in 2022 stormed a Drag Queen Story Hour program at the East Bay’s San Lorenzo Library and proceeded to hurl gay and transphobic slurs there.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Soon after Noboa took office in 2023, the country suffered back-to-back emergencies: a notorious gang leader escaped from prison; days later, a band of gunmen stormed a major TV station and took the staff hostage.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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