as in attacked
to take sudden, violent action against
the muggers pounced on the unsuspecting tourists as soon as they rounded the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pounced (on or upon)
Verb
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Kuwait’s Al Salmi tanker was attacked at the port connected to the United Arab Emirates city better known as a destination for influencers, Reuters and The New York Times reported.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026 -
The Houthis have previously attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea to disrupt the flow of oil, gas and other commodities through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sole occupant of the home was assaulted and tied up before the suspect stole several items from the home, including a vehicle, then used that vehicle to flee the scene, according to LeLacheur.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Two other people were assaulted during the altercation but were not shot.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The couple had four eggs this season, but two were destroyed when their nest was raided by ravens.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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After the service at Kheimeh Molaghat, over coffee and sweets in the church fellowship hall, Bahraman recounted how armed Iranian forces raided the home of his parents about 15 years ago, because their family had converted to Christianity.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Paras Griffin / Getty Images Instead, investigators say the suspects stormed the studio, separated the victims and used firearms during the attack.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Angered when his ally Munim Khan was replaced by Shams-ud-din as vakil (prime minister), Adham Khan, who was already resentful after his recall from Malwa, stormed into the court with his supporters on May 16, 1562, and murdered Shams-ud-din in the audience hall.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The first period was a seesaw affair wherein the Ducks struck first, trailed by a goal, pulled even and then headed to the dressing room down one.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cece Levrault struck for eight goals, while Leah McGee scored four goals as Apponequet (2-1) bested Seekonk 18-6 in the South Coast Conference.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pounced (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pounced%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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