Entry Word: raid

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory <repeated Viking raids wore down the defenses of the seaside village>

Synonyms descent, foray, incursion, inroad, invasion, irruption

Related Words pillage, plunder; aggression, assault, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, siege, storm, strike; charge, sally, sortie; ambuscade, ambush, surprise; air raid, blitz, blitzkrieg, bombardment

2 the act or action of setting upon with force or violence <an early morning raid by Federal agents took the smugglers in their hideout by surprise> — see attack 1