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attack

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attack are assail, assault, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When could assail be used to replace attack?

The words assail and attack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When might assault be a better fit than attack?

Although the words assault and attack have much in common, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would bombard be a good substitute for attack?

The synonyms bombard and attack are sometimes interchangeable, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When can storm be used instead of attack?

While the synonyms storm and attack are close in meaning, 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 attack
Noun
The onslaught of attacks on transgender rights fueled Missouri lawmakers to enact a law in 2023 that banned gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries, for minors. Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025 But then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin repudiated the deal, saying a decision on the death penalty in an attack as grave as Sept. 11 should only be made by the defense secretary. CBS News, 11 July 2025
Verb
Making homes more energy efficient is also a way to reduce carbon emissions, and thus attack the cause of more frequent and severe heat waves. Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 The main target of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, with Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Kharkiv regions also attacked, the president said. David Brennan, ABC News, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
  • Newsweek has revealed dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the ICE raids.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • In one raid, federal agents detained people at a bus stop at Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue on June 18.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • In September 2019, Poirier faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Just four days after the bout, Chavez Jr. was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Jurors watched footage of Combs viciously assaulting Ventura and saw photos of her injuries from various beatings inflicted during their relationship.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
  • At times, the boy was restrained and choked and assaulted in his dorm room bed.
    Richard Winton Follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Jewish advocacy groups slammed President Donald Trump for using an anti-Semitic descriptor on Thursday during his Iowa speech celebrating the passage of his spending bill.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2025
  • Beshear slammed Republicans in support of the bill, accusing them of abandoning constituents who depend on the programs.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • When approached for comment in October, the Premier League said this was an example of the challenges that domestic leagues would face as a result of the alterations to the football calendar made by FIFA.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The Harley-Davidson Homecoming concerts at Veterans Park July 12 are proceeding as planned after the concerts July 11 were called off around 6 p.m. due to approaching storms.
    Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The show issued a similar warning to viewers last year before the season six reunion as contestants had received an onslaught of online criticism.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Miller and his platoon not only survive the onslaught in Normandy, but they are tasked with the unthinkable.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • The charges arose from what law enforcement officials described as a nationwide operation that also resulted in the seizure of financial accounts, websites and laptops that were used to carry out the fraud.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • This incident marks the third seizure of live animals in Mumbai in one month, according to CBS.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Is it expected to storm over the weekend in Grand Rapids?
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
  • Just over 1 kilometer to the west on Hardware Lane – one of the city’s most popular areas for restaurants and nightlife – about 20 protesters stormed into an Israeli restaurant, chanting slogans, police said.
    Angus Watson, CNN Money, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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