ambush

¹am·bush

verb \ˈam-ˌbu̇sh\

Definition of AMBUSH

transitive verb

1

: to station in ambush

2

: to attack from an ambush : waylay

intransitive verb

: to lie in wait : lurk

— am·bush·er noun

— am·bush·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of AMBUSH

1. We have reports of enemy soldiers ambushing civilians on this road.
2. <the king's enemies planned to ambush the royal coach on the way to Paris and capture the king>

Origin of AMBUSH

Middle English embushen, from Anglo-French embuscher, from en in (from Latin in) + busche log, firewood

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AMBUSH

Synonyms: ambuscade, surprise (also surprize), waylay

Related Words: assail, assault, attack, storm, strike; jump, mug, pounce (on), tackle; charge, sally; capture, ensnare, entrap, mousetrap, net, snare, trap; hunt, prey (on or upon), stalk

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Rhymes with AMBUSH

bell push, cost-push, rosebush, spicebush, thornbush