ATTACKS Synonyms: 224 Similar and Opposite Words

attacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of attack

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

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as in bouts

a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

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attacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of attack

as in raids

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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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

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as in approaches

to start work on energetically Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

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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 attacks

Noun

At the most recent debate, hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 on May 6, the seven candidates again clashed over housing and immigration, while Becerra and Steyer faced fierce attacks from both sides of the political spectrum, The Los Angeles Times reported. —

James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026 As the United States has escalated its attacks on Iran, there’s something pleasingly transgressive about bringing Iranian elements into such overtly Western music—so much so that the songs without Yaghmai’s playing seem a little subdued in comparison. —

Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026 Washington — The sharpest economic decline in American history, the highest inflation in more than 40 years, aggressive political attacks from the White House, and the worst-ever global energy shock. —

Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles in attacks across Ukraine this week over two consecutive days, Ukrainian officials said. —

Reuters, NBC news, 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 That is what many attacks look like today—not sophisticated hacks, but small moments where someone almost says yes. —

Andy White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 The article focused on evidence and public conduct, not personal attacks. —

Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 15 May 2026 In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system. —

Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

Verb

The sophomore star attacks every corner of the strike zone, fearlessly challenging batters in spots most pitchers avoid, while processing angles and situations in real time. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026 Your Immune System May Become Balanced Vitamin D and zinc may also tamp down hyperactive immune responses that occur in autoimmune diseases (conditions in which the body attacks itself). —

Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026 Hantavirus is a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs and is typically contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a wild rodent. —

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said an immediate example would be for other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacks commercial shipping. —

Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026 With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. —

Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026 According to the Mayo Clinic, autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the liver, causing damage. —

Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026 How does this Mikey become the Mikey who attacks Richie? —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026 It is considered to be deadlier than HFRS and mostly attacks the lungs. —

Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks

Noun

President Volodymyr Zelensky called the long-range strikes ‘entirely justified’ retaliation for Russian assaults on Kyiv, as Moscow reported intercepting more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones over its territory and occupied Crimea.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
One woman who hid during the attack at a music festival described hearing multiple assaults, according to the report.

— Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 16 May 2026