1
as in assaults
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bouts
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raids
to take sudden, violent action against
our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slams
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approaches
to start work on energetically
Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attacks
Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
In an attempt to prevent further attacks on Beirut, the Lebanese government reiterated its call to enter direct negotiations with Israel, an offer Netanyahu has since accepted.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The move follows an uptick in deadly attacks across parts of the country, even as the US-Nigeria security partnership expands.
—semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
First and foremost, an end to attacks by other countries attempting to topple their regime.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency claimed that talks wouldn’t happen unless Israel stopped its attacks in Lebanon.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
She was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa — an eye disease that causes vision loss — and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Iran attacks on a crucial Saudi pipeline have also slashed the kingdom's oil output, Saudi Arabia's state news agency said Thursday.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The man attacks the woman with the hammer multiple times before stepping over her unmoving body and walking away, out of the frame of the camera.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Botulism occurs when people eat food contaminated with botulinum toxin, a potent toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
But Israel and Hezbollah showed no signs of decreasing their attacks Friday.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
In an attempt to prevent further attacks on Beirut, the Lebanese government reiterated its call to enter direct negotiations with Israel, an offer Netanyahu has since accepted.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The move follows an uptick in deadly attacks across parts of the country, even as the US-Nigeria security partnership expands.
—semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
First and foremost, an end to attacks by other countries attempting to topple their regime.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency claimed that talks wouldn’t happen unless Israel stopped its attacks in Lebanon.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
The man attacks the woman with the hammer multiple times before stepping over her unmoving body and walking away out of the frame of the camera.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
She was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa — an eye disease that causes vision loss — and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Iran attacks on a crucial Saudi pipeline have also slashed the kingdom's oil output, Saudi Arabia's state news agency said Thursday.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The man attacks the woman with the hammer multiple times before stepping over her unmoving body and walking away, out of the frame of the camera.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Botulism occurs when people eat food contaminated with botulinum toxin, a potent toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
This, and the hospital’s security, had been a point of contention in recent years after a number of assaults on staff and forensic patients (usually kept there through the courts) escaping the hospital grounds, requiring a police response.—
Peter Currier,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
As of April 5, assaults in the city’s subway system were down by 6%, from 171 this time last year to 160.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During bouts of insomnia, Altman would wander by them in his pajamas.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Casual Pickleball or Tennis While most people assume playing pickleball or tennis is going to burn a lot of calories, MacDonald says that short bouts and frequent rest periods can reduce the number of calories burned.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, Michigan continues to play a large role in shaping the nation's future, especially in presidential elections.—
Rachelle Graham,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The cast approaches the picture with a delightfully devil-may-care sincerity, playing off of one another with a simple ease.—
Gina Friedlande,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the forces being deployed are light infantry, units that lack the large armored vehicles, including tanks, that typically underpin sustained ground offensives.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Putin is widely expected to launch new offensives as the weather in Ukraine improves, piling further pressure on Kyiv.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators later uncovered one of the largest contraband seizures in the prison's history, including more than a pound of pure methamphetamine, marijuana, cell phones, and other items hidden inside the facility.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Another was a 2-year-old (also not vaccinated), who had brain abscesses and seizures and has had lasting effects.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But in the moment, no one seems more upset by the confession than Rachel, who storms away despite her prior promises not to judge.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Her humiliation is laid bare for everyone in the room — the Easter brunch has gone totally awry — and Ines storms out at the end of her performance.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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