attack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attacknext
1
as in assault
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack

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2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attack

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtak How to pronounce attack (audio)
1
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slam
to criticize harshly and usually publicly the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted

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3
as in to approach
to start work on energetically Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
An attack would also likely prompt a sustained increase to already soaring oil prices. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026 The attack was the second at a house of worship in Michigan within the last year. —Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
In addition to attacking energy infrastructure around the region, Iran has a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway leading from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported. —Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 The shooting happened hours before a Michigan synagogue was attacked. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
  1. assault
  2. bout
  3. raid
  4. slam
  5. approach
  6. offensive
  7. seizure
  8. storm
Noun
  • The assault took place both and off campus and during and after school hours, according to the news release.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Mollaei, the defending champion, said he was ordered to lose a bout to avoid a potential gold medal match against an Israeli opponent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium bout is Fury’s first in the UK since 2022.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of bout
Verb
  • Marathon isn't just about the alien planet and the thrill of raiding a colony's remains; those looking for deeper sci-fi themes (and willing to do some reading and listening) will be fed too.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Khamenka was detained in June after his house was raided and has spent more than a half year behind bars.
    — Yuras Karmanau, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of raid
Verb
  • But a final autopsy report determined there was no link between the fight — during which Mejia appeared to slam her head into a wall — and her death.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which in turn slammed into a Lexus SUV, police said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of slam
Verb
  • The author approaches her subject with the weariness of a long-suffering old friend, sighingly explaining Stanton’s tantrums to newcomers.
    — Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Losses from the streaming segment narrowed by €90 million to €47 million ($51 million), with the company saying the business approached break-even in the fourth quarter.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Lebanon has been pulled deep into the war in the Middle East since Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader, igniting an Israeli offensive which has killed nearly 500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities − with the death toll rising by around 100 a day.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Israel, meanwhile, appears content to keep battering the Islamic Republic, whatever the downstream consequences, while also mustering a new offensive into southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of offensive
Noun
  • That affidavit supporting that seizure relied on debunked claims.
    — Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
  • At least 20 incidents were reported as seizures, including some that resulted in head trauma.
    — Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of seizure
Verb
  • While many families are discussing plans to move out of the state should the legislative proposals pass, others are organizing letter-writing campaigns, submitting testimony and gathering support to storm the Capitol in opposition.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
  • With less than five seconds remaining in regulation, King and teammate George Natsvlishvili stormed up the court in hopes of a buzzer-beating shot.
    — Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of storm

Phrases Containing attack

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attach (to)
attack
attack dog
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Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on attack

Nglish: Translation of attack for Spanish Speakers

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