attack dog
noun
1
: a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
2
: a person noted for harsh, personal, and usually public verbal attacks against others
a political attack dog
—usually hyphenated when used before another nounattack-dog tactics
Examples of attack dog in a Sentence
The charges against the candidate were made by one of the governor's attack dogs.
his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket
Recent Examples on the Web
Other Trump appointees have no qualms about being seen as partisan attack dogs.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Viciousness is the attack dog who has not eaten in three days.
—Arielle Angel, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025
His attack dog role was on full display during an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when Vance confronted the foreign leader, calling him disrespectful and demanding appreciation for the billions in aid the U.S. has provided the country during its war with Russia.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
Carter’s press secretary Jody Powell contended that journalistic attack dogs foamed at the mouth.
—Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
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Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Viciousness is the attack dog who has not eaten in three days.
—Arielle Angel, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025
His attack dog role was on full display during an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when Vance confronted the foreign leader, calling him disrespectful and demanding appreciation for the billions in aid the U.S. has provided the country during its war with Russia.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
Carter’s press secretary Jody Powell contended that journalistic attack dogs foamed at the mouth.
—Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attack%20dog. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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