1
as in assaulted
to take sudden, violent action against
our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slammed
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tackled
to start work on energetically
Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attacked
In what was billed as the biggest game in the history of this border feud, Indiana attacked from the first quarter and the Illini failed to respond.
—
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The choice to shine a light on journalism, particularly of the local variety, is especially poignant during a moment when the Fourth Estate is being diminished by macroeconomic forces and even attacked by political ones.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Last month, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally attacked on a North Carolina light-rail train — a case that sparked national outrage.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
After her sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega), is attacked by Ghostface, troubled Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) returns to Woodsboro with her doting boyfriend (Jack Quaid) to defend her family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
No matter your political perspective, when a clear voice for dialogue is attacked, everyone should defend him.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
While former sheriffs have theorized that a group of local boys attacked her, an ominous photograph found a thousand miles away led her family to wonder if she had been abducted alongside a young boy.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
His mother allegedly told law enforcement that those changing views did appear to be a motivating factor behind shooting Kirk, who regularly attacked the trans community online and on his podcast.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Captured on live television, rioters attacked the Capitol and breached the Senate floor.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The choice to shine a light on journalism, particularly of the local variety, is especially poignant during a moment when the Fourth Estate is being diminished by macroeconomic forces and even attacked by political ones.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Last month, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally attacked on a North Carolina light-rail train — a case that sparked national outrage.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
After her sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega), is attacked by Ghostface, troubled Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) returns to Woodsboro with her doting boyfriend (Jack Quaid) to defend her family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
No matter your political perspective, when a clear voice for dialogue is attacked, everyone should defend him.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
While former sheriffs have theorized that a group of local boys attacked her, an ominous photograph found a thousand miles away led her family to wonder if she had been abducted alongside a young boy.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
His mother allegedly told law enforcement that those changing views did appear to be a motivating factor behind shooting Kirk, who regularly attacked the trans community online and on his podcast.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Captured on live television, rioters attacked the Capitol and breached the Senate floor.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacked
Verb
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In 2022, an attacker looking for Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, assaulted her husband with a hammer.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Three armed suspects ambushed staff in the restaurant, and two staff members were assaulted and forced to open a cash safe, according to police at the time.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Department of Homeland Security slammed the Biden administration for releasing Cobos-Martinez from an ICE detention center in January.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
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The immediate response to Gervais was mixed, with some praising his past remarks while others slammed the comedian.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The second-year quarterback came up limping after he was tackled by Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare on a play that potentially could have drawn a flag for hip-drop tackle.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Of course, Notre Dame almost got pressure from a four-man rush a second time, but Donovan Hinish got tackled on Texas A&M’s game-winning touchdown.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Multiple smoke shops in Connecticut that were raided had been caught selling products to minors.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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The charges come after the FBI in June 2022 raided at least three churches associated with the House of Prayer Christian Churches in Georgia and Texas, established just miles from Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Fort Hood.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Family matriarch Donna Adelson was scolded by a judge Thursday for weeping in the courtroom after being convicted of orchestrating a 2014 murder-for-hire plot of her former son-in-law, a prominent Florida State University law professor.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Lox's reaction to being scolded.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If Guillermo del Toro approached Devisio, posed Mitchell, might that change things?—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Sep. 2025
-
After the murders, King approached Sgt.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Hollywood icon stormed the Dancing With the Stars ballroom during the season 34 premiere with a flashy tango alongside partner Jenna Johnson.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
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At the rehearsal the day before, Ethan stormed out after claiming Zac and Lydia were moving too quickly in their relationship and speculating that Zac might be gay.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a bipartisan vote, 49 Republicans joined Democrats to repeal the authorizations, which members say have been abused to justify later military actions.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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The biggest Flock controversy centers on allegations that law enforcement has abused the company’s surveillance network to target women, immigrants, and people engaging in legal activity outside their home states.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attacked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacked. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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