1
as in assaults
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 bouts
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 raids
to take sudden, violent action against
our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slams
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 approaches
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 attacks
Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DANGER ALERT — Americans warned of potential attacks in vacation spot as border crossing fee doubles.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Moo Moo Cow, a popular ice cream shop in Federal Hill, was also a victim of three vandalism attacks, in which suspects threw bricks and a rock through the front windows.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The World Health Organization said in March that over 200 attacks have targeted health care since the war began.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
In February a hacker used Claude in a series of attacks against Mexican government agencies, stealing sensitive tax and voter information, Bloomberg reported.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
This will undoubtedly give Moscow a boost in its attacks on Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the attacks, though meant to be symbolic, were still dangerous—and reckless.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DANGER ALERT — Americans warned of potential attacks in vacation spot as border crossing fee doubles.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Moo Moo Cow, a popular ice cream shop in Federal Hill, was also a victim of three vandalism attacks, in which suspects threw bricks and a rock through the front windows.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The World Health Organization said in March that over 200 attacks have targeted health care since the war began.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
In February a hacker used Claude in a series of attacks against Mexican government agencies, stealing sensitive tax and voter information, Bloomberg reported.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
This will undoubtedly give Moscow a boost in its attacks on Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the attacks, though meant to be symbolic, were still dangerous—and reckless.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Botulism occurs when people eat food contaminated with botulinum toxin, a potent toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
According to state officials, the assaults took place between 2002 and 2008.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Such units have traditionally been used for missions like large-scale evacuations and amphibious operations that require ship-to-shore movements, including raids and assaults.—
James Legge,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During their five bouts against each other, Lloyd produced 33 total tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.—
Mike Kaye
March 31,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Boston is in for a wide range of warm and chilly spring days in the coming week, with some potential for bouts of rain, according to National Weather Service forecasts.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The shop held monthly poetry slams and won numerous local awards for best bookstore in the city.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That entrepreneurial mindset continues to shape how Jones approaches Arizona real estate, especially in a market as active and widely discussed as Maricopa County's.—
Connie Etemadi,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His father is a subject Nagarjuna approaches with both pride and philosophical caution.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the forces being deployed are light infantry, units that lack the large armored vehicles, including tanks, that typically underpin sustained ground offensives.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Putin is widely expected to launch new offensives as the weather in Ukraine improves, piling further pressure on Kyiv.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His serious health issues began in 2023 — loss of appetite, shaky hands, chills, severe anxiety, recurring nightmares and small seizures during sleep.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Patients and care teams often spend years finding the precise combination of medications, doses, and timing that controls seizures.—
James Hart,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her humiliation is laid bare for everyone in the room — the Easter brunch has gone totally awry — and Ines storms out at the end of her performance.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
High pressure also spins clockwise, deflecting moisture and storms off to the north and keeping dry air underneath it.—
Zoe Mintz,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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