bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd How to pronounce bombard (audio)
Definition of bombardnext
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

Synonym Chooser

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 Cosmic rays bounce across the universe in all directions, meaning Earth is bombarded from all sides by trillions of them. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 July 2025 This year, guides have bombarded her with complaints about the heat. —Trisha Thomas, Fortune, 24 July 2025 This helps the Joe Budden Network to work with a maximum of three sponsors at a give time in an effort to not bombard the audience with ads. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 23 July 2025 Despite the benefit to users, the technology might become a nuisance for businesses, especially if they’re bombarded with Google AI calls. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
  1. bomb
  2. barrage
  3. attack
  4. flood
Verb
  • This deal also comes at a time when President Trump has become more critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to bomb Ukrainian towns and cities.
    — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • It’s all gone wrong and the Brazilian 23-year-old has been bombed into the reserves.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Definition of bomb
Verb
  • The rest remained silent as Israel was barraged with accusations by fellow classmates.
    — Sarah Meira Schlager, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
  • Although users will likely be barraged with unavoidable pop-up messages warning them of the dangers of running an unsupported operating system, Windows 10 will still work.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • After the match, Uso helped attack Sikoa’s MFTs and Fatu hit a picturesque moonsault off the top of the cage onto Loa and Mateo, getting some momentum back after a controversial defeat.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Police responded to a call that an individual was being attacked by dogs at the Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino at around 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 31, KTLA and the Los Angeles Times reported.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.
    — William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Thousands of comments flooded the platform owned by Trump.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 July 2025
Definition of flood

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Cite this Entry

“Bombard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombard. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bombard

Nglish: Translation of bombard for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bombard

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