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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
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
-
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
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
-
Ragan was arrested at the scene and admitted to assaulting his grandfather, police said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
31 July 2025
-
Hand also accused a friend of McGregor's, James Lawrence, of assaulting her on the night in question, Jurors found Lawrence did not assault her, according to The Guardian.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
The absence of lobster traps and not being poked and prodded by divers armed with snares, tickle sticks and nets for nearly four months usually results in an abundance of bugs, a term that refers to the insect-like appearance of lobsters.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
5 July 2025
-
Complaining about the rich comes with many snares, as events reminded Anwar last week.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
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
-
But savvy gamblers know not to touch these airside temptations, airport slots being notoriously tight, a consequence of convenience and captured customers.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
Surveillance footage captured Kohberger's car speeding away from the scene.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share