1
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against the Allies bombarded Germany for a great many months during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to barrage
to attack with a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once reporters bombarded the company spokesman with sharp questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb bombard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bombard are assail, assault, attack, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is assail a more appropriate choice than bombard?

While the synonyms assail and bombard are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When could assault be used to replace bombard?

While in some cases nearly identical to bombard, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When might attack be a better fit than bombard?

The words attack and bombard can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can storm be used instead of bombard?

The meanings of storm and bombard largely overlap; however, 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 bombard Some even tried to stop their journey by bombarding panda experts, officials and government agencies with angry phone calls. Nectar Gan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025 Join 5 others in the comments View Comments The most highly energetic particles in the universe, cosmic rays bombard Earth from space. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025 Image After Hamas’s 2023 attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 others abducted to Gaza, Israel had bombarded the territory, aiming to decimate the militants. Lara Jakes, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025 The argument has been made that elections in March allows Miramar Voters to decide which candidates to support without being bombarded with direct mail pieces, phone calls, radio and TV commercials from County, State and Federal Candidates. Avril K. Cherasard, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
Verb
  • The site was bombed and shelled by the Israel Defense Forces and ...
    Elliott Abrams, National Review, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Seoul, South Korea CNN — South Korean fighter jets accidentally bombed homes during a live-fire drill with US forces, injuring more than a dozen people, Seoul’s military said on Thursday.
    Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Although community concern peaked in those initial months, Hyperion continues to be barraged by odor complaints, which routinely reach into the hundreds each month.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Instantly, Heffernan said, trolls descended, barraging her with anti-Semitic and misogynistic messages.
    Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.
    Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.
    David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In recent days, the page has been flooded with stories and comments from foreign service officers detailing how recent events have uprooted their lives.
    Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Hurricanes did flood the region in late summer 2024, but before that, the Carolinas were experiencing a flash drought.
    Lauren Lowman, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bombard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombard. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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