bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd How to pronounce bombard (audio)
Definition of bombardnext
1
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against the Allies bombarded Germany for a great many months during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to barrage
to attack with a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once reporters bombarded the company spokesman with sharp questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bombard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bombard are assail, assault, attack, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is assail a more appropriate choice than bombard?

While the synonyms assail and bombard are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When could assault be used to replace bombard?

While in some cases nearly identical to bombard, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When might attack be a better fit than bombard?

The words attack and bombard can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can storm be used instead of bombard?

The meanings of storm and bombard largely overlap; however, 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 bombard Its role players bombarded Denver’s zone with timely 3s. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 June 2025 Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who bombarded President Donald Trump’s signature spending bill for weeks, on Friday made his first comments since the legislation passed. —Chris Eudaily, CNBC, 4 July 2025 Life bombards us with stress, over commitments, responsibilities, and digital overload. —Gerry J. Tucker, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 As a nurse, Agnes tended to victims in war zones bombarded by bombs that Sharpe’s company made—bombs that also killed Matteo’s family members. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
  1. bomb
  2. barrage
  3. attack
  4. flood
Verb
  • Trump’s decision to bomb Iran, after all, happened without forewarning for his allies.
    — Garret Martin, The Conversation, 15 July 2025
  • Initially considered a frontrunner in the competition, both as a fierce competitor and a shady schemer, the Texas titan returned for the semifinals last week as a shell of her former self, bombing Snatch Game and having to lip sync for her life.
    — Andy Swift, TVLine, 11 July 2025
Definition of bomb
Verb
  • Although users will likely be barraged with unavoidable pop-up messages warning them of the dangers of running an unsupported operating system, Windows 10 will still work.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Writing when you're barraged by distracting notifications is even harder.
    — Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 10 May 2024
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • In June, a woman defaced a Pilsen mural at 16th Street and Ashland Avenue and was accused of attacking another woman who tried to stop her.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
  • Amorim needs a mobile centre forward capable of attacking open space at speed and offering a threat in quick transition.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Days after the Guadalupe River flooded and claimed dozens of lives, another major river in Texas has triggered warnings from the National Weather Service.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • Thousands of comments flooded the platform owned by Trump.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 July 2025
Definition of flood

Browse Nearby Words

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bombard
bombarded
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on bombard

Nglish: Translation of bombard for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bombard

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