attack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attacknext
1
as in assault
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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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
The lawsuit follows an alleged attack on their 11-year-old daughter at the resort pool in October 2025. —Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026 An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States has been brought to New York to face federal terrorism charges after what the FBI described as a major international operation. —Louis Casiano , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
So when attacking midfielder Nick Moon carried the ball down the left wing in the eighth minute, AC Boise bodies began rushing into the box. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2026 As some first responders attacked the flames, others conducted a search of the apartment building and found a parakeet inside. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
  1. assault
  2. bout
  3. raid
  4. slam
  5. approach
  6. offensive
  7. seizure
  8. storm
Noun
  • Not coincidentally, Netanyahu’s coalition—which dominates the Knesset with a majority of sixty-four seats, out of a hundred and twenty—has renewed its legislative assault on the court.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Castro faces multiple second-degree felony assault charges involving a weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor, according to a criminal complaint.
    — Terry Collins, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • This summer the tournament returns to North America, and Guadalajara will add to its considerable football lore when this stadium hosts four more World Cup matches, including a heavyweight bout between Spain and its onetime colony Uruguay.
    — Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
  • In a Catholic Conference bout, Katie Maheu (four goals, assist) and Maddy Lubov (hat trick, two assists) finished with five points apiece as Ursuline cruised to a 14-4 win over Malden Catholic.
    — Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Definition of bout
Verb
  • Fish arcades are increasingly rare in Charlotte since the Supreme Court’s ruling shut many down, but police have raided locations operating illegally in recent years.
    — Jeff A. Chamer May 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
  • With such a dominating presence in the first three seasons of the PWHL, the Frost brass expects their roster to be raided.
    — Theodore Tollefson, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Definition of raid
Verb
  • Wanting to avoid running a red light, the trailer made a right-hand turn on yellow and slammed into a Santa Clarita Transit bus and two vehicles near the intersection of Golden Valley Road, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • One of these cosmic rays for instance, dubbed the Amaterasu particle (after the Japanese sun goddess) slammed into Earth in 2021 with an energy 40 million times greater than particles slammed together at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Definition of slam
Verb
  • Even under broader classifications, California data does not show administrative spending approaching 50% of education funding.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Beyond emotional support, many patients also need guidance on lifestyle habits after starting treatment—including how to approach to diet and nutrition, Rariy said.
    — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 14 May 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • After the shutdown, Jeffries remained on the offensive.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • When Aleppo fell in late November, in part due to that tunnel operation that cut off the regime's supply lines, the rebel groups made a split-second decision to continue the offensive.
    — Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
Definition of offensive
Noun
  • Both contracts gained more than 7% last week as hopes of a peace deal that would end ship attacks and seizures around the Strait of Hormuz dimmed.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 18 May 2026
  • That transparency became especially important after Gijon experienced seizure symptoms while teaching during her third year in the classroom in 2017.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Definition of seizure
Verb
  • Manzo was 21 when gunmen stormed an Uruapan nightclub not far from his mother’s dress shop and rolled five human heads onto the dance floor.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS MOB CHAOS — Soccer fans storm field in 22 minutes flat, forcing players to flee for their lives.
    — , FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
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 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on attack

Nglish: Translation of attack for Spanish Speakers

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