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
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
However, a study published in last month in the journal Nature Communications identified a new way to accurately predict asthma attacks up to five years in advance—by looking at specific biomarkers in the blood.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
The prime minister has long claimed the fund rewards violence, including attacks on civilians.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Every year, there are about 605,000 new heart attacks, and 200,000 are repeat attacks.
—Care Resource, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Republican Utah Senator Mitt Romney has been accused of acting for the Democrats and a RINO for not supporting attacks on Biden, including an impeachment inquiry headed by the Freedom Caucus.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Some have pointed to incidents of mob violence in December, including attacks on two media houses in Dhaka and on heritage cultural institutions, as signs of lingering instability.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
After learning that Casper had been diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, Aidan Oldenburg, Ben Richardson and Luc Violette needed somebody with experience that could help them in the interim.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
After going to a hematologist, Natalie learned that her blood basically attacks fetuses.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
After a serial killer attacks a Florida State University sorority house leaving multiple sisters dead, the stakes have never been higher.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The play attacks the flat defender and is especially effective against Cover 3, a three-deep zone.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump frequently attacks Kaitlan Collins using misogynistic language.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
The disease attacks the lungs and remains in the body for years before becoming potentially deadly.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which typically attacks memory, FTD primarily affects behavior, personality, and language.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
However, a study published in last month in the journal Nature Communications identified a new way to accurately predict asthma attacks up to five years in advance—by looking at specific biomarkers in the blood.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
The prime minister has long claimed the fund rewards violence, including attacks on civilians.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Every year, there are about 605,000 new heart attacks, and 200,000 are repeat attacks.
—Care Resource, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Republican Utah Senator Mitt Romney has been accused of acting for the Democrats and a RINO for not supporting attacks on Biden, including an impeachment inquiry headed by the Freedom Caucus.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Some have pointed to incidents of mob violence in December, including attacks on two media houses in Dhaka and on heritage cultural institutions, as signs of lingering instability.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
An autoimmune disease is a chronic condition in which part of your immune system mistakenly attacks part of your own body.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
After learning that Casper had been diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, Aidan Oldenburg, Ben Richardson and Luc Violette needed somebody with experience that could help them in the interim.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
After going to a hematologist, Natalie learned that her blood basically attacks fetuses.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
After a serial killer attacks a Florida State University sorority house leaving multiple sisters dead, the stakes have never been higher.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The play attacks the flat defender and is especially effective against Cover 3, a three-deep zone.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump frequently attacks Kaitlan Collins using misogynistic language.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
The disease attacks the lungs and remains in the body for years before becoming potentially deadly.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which typically attacks memory, FTD primarily affects behavior, personality, and language.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
Mejia has four prior arrests, including assaults in 2019 and 2022, and a DUI in 2020, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Police are investigating a string of violent late-night robberies in the Bella Vista and Hawthorne neighborhoods of South Philadelphia, after five assaults over the past month left some victims injured.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These chilly ocean temperatures, combined with the bouts of cold air, left the door open for a snowy winter heading into February.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Truitt attended the Air Force Academy to earn her undergraduate degree, but experiencing bouts of airsickness on military planes led her to explore a different path.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … POLITICS BAD CALL – Trump admin slams Dems’ ‘call 911 on ICE’ push as reckless, links policy to riots and violent arrests.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Winter storm slams the East While Arizona's system is mostly a light-rain and mountain-snow setup, a sprawling winter storm is creating far bigger problems across the eastern half of the country.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And like the hairpin turns in the production all across the album, Jah-Monte approaches themes from different angles and pivots without breaking a sweat.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Vani Sayeed approaches projects with an artist’s eye and a deep appreciation for design history.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The report said Russian forces have advanced at an average rate of between 49 to 230 feet per day in their most prominent offensives.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The report said Russian forces have advanced at an average rate of between 49 to 230 feet per day in their most prominent offensives.—
Kamila Hrabchuk,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia’s cousin, said she is not known to faint or experience seizures.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
These seizures do not include numbers from local or state agencies.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As Williams storms Hollywood's A List, Fonzovs says it's been surreal.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That turns out to be a mistake, since a commando team soon storms his island with orders to kill him on sight.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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