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as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
thinking that he was getting into his assigned limousine, the diplomat did not realize that he was the victim of an ambush as he was being lured into his captor's car
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to attack
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise
the king's enemies planned to ambush the royal coach on the way to Paris and capture the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambush
ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
One specimen examined by Brochu’s team displayed multiple, partially healed jaw injuries indicative of a brawl with a fellow ambush predator.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Is Irene going to ambush Leaphorn, Manuelito, and Shaw, or just follow them around all day?
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
The ambush happened on Friday around Wanka, Kyaram and Gyambau communities located in the Kanam area of Plateau state.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
One specimen examined by Brochu’s team displayed multiple, partially healed jaw injuries indicative of a brawl with a fellow ambush predator.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Park Service Police Chief Scott Brecht told reporters late Monday night that at least two officers were driving in an unmarked white Tesla during an ongoing investigation when two gunmen ambushed them.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Is Irene going to ambush Leaphorn, Manuelito, and Shaw, or just follow them around all day?
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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On September 30th, a few days after the attack, Loomer called out Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the heads of Apple and Google, for making such programs available.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Israel strikes Iranian nuclear facilities Bahreini’s announcement came just hours after Iranian state media said two nuclear facilities had come under attack.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And so many people back then were in a trap.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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These torons act as microscopic traps for light.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 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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The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that two people were arrested for assaulting federal law enforcement, Reuters reported.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Then the curse of the fathers found me — slow at first, like a rumor rolling over the veld, then sudden, like a snare snapping shut on bone.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
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Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are the chapters that feature the merry trickster of the forest, Tom Bombadil, a classic fiddle-dee-dee-mischief type who waylays the hobbits at the onset of their quest.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Thousands of passengers and crew were caught on vessels waylaid in ports in the UAE and Qatar.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The event that had precipitated this change was the 1973 Yom Kippur War, a surprise assault on Israel launched by Arab forces on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Within days, China’s surprise intervention in the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving their businesses offshore.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Someone had stashed a film camera in an apartment high above the plaza, capturing a scene of rowdy onlookers feasting on sausage sandwiches and uncorking bottles of wine as—after a series of delays—the blade dropped on Weidmann’s nape.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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Those ball-tracking cameras capture up to 300 frames per second, allowing the system to precisely locate each pitch within the strike zone and reconstruct its path.—
Neil Nakahodo,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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