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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran continued its daily attacks on oil and other infrastructure across the Gulf.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
The attacks are among several acts of violence that have rattled Americans’ collective consciousness in recent weeks.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
New Iranian attacks across the region Iran continued its daily attacks on oil and other infrastructure across the Gulf.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to launch retaliatory drone and missile attacks across the region, and a clerical body has been working to select the country's next supreme leader.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The widening war in Iran and the risk of Iranian drone or missile attacks has shut down almost all tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage out of Persian Gulf and the conduit for 20% of the world economy’s oil needs.
—David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
While the Middle East has seen its share of conflict in the past several decades, attacks have usually been concentrated in certain geographies.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The Ghostface killer attacks them, leaving two dead, including Lucas, impaled on a sharp beer tap handle.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
The disease occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that germinate in the intestine and produce a dangerous toxin that attacks the nervous system.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Dane disclosed in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
The program’s primary purpose is to help diagnose and treat the disease that occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that germinate in the intestine and produce a dangerous toxin that attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Panasiuk delivers linguistic resistance, exposing how war attacks the foundations of speech itself.
—Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
According to Fairbanks, who moved to South Africa from the United States more than fifteen years ago, attacks on farms appear to be mostly economically motivated crimes.
—Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran continued its daily attacks on oil and other infrastructure across the Gulf.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
The attacks are among several acts of violence that have rattled Americans’ collective consciousness in recent weeks.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
New Iranian attacks across the region Iran continued its daily attacks on oil and other infrastructure across the Gulf.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to launch retaliatory drone and missile attacks across the region, and a clerical body has been working to select the country's next supreme leader.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The widening war in Iran and the risk of Iranian drone or missile attacks has shut down almost all tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage out of Persian Gulf and the conduit for 20% of the world economy’s oil needs.
—David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
While the Middle East has seen its share of conflict in the past several decades, attacks have usually been concentrated in certain geographies.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The Ghostface killer attacks them, leaving two dead, including Lucas, impaled on a sharp beer tap handle.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
The disease occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that germinate in the intestine and produce a dangerous toxin that attacks the nervous system.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Dane disclosed in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
The program’s primary purpose is to help diagnose and treat the disease that occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that germinate in the intestine and produce a dangerous toxin that attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Panasiuk delivers linguistic resistance, exposing how war attacks the foundations of speech itself.
—Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In 2024, the county recorded 6,323 assaults, of which 205 involved firearms.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the cryptocurrency has often traded in line with equities, raising questions about that narrative during past bouts of market stress.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Short bouts of activity, like a 10-minute walk, can help manage your blood sugar levels.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When this valve slams shut, the entire network suffers a mechanical heart attack.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers tested whether a hardy bacterium could endure the crushing pressures generated when a space rock slams into a planet and ejects debris into space.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Amore approaches the song with all the vocal ferocity of a wind chime; MORI’s chorus repeats the title phrase in monotone.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The new images reveal stunning details about what happens as a star approaches the end of its evolutionary life cycle.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nation-states now pair kinetic strikes with digital offensives.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Dynamic shifts on the battlefield — with large swaths of Ukrainian land changing hands in offensives and counteroffensives in the early years of the war — have since given way to a conflict of inches.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Patients affected by the condition targeted by Tuesday's approval experience movement disorders, seizures and other neurological problems that can resemble symptoms of autism.—
MATTHEW PERRONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Quintana also served on a panel for Purple Day in Disney and traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for training in schools for people who experience seizures.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Benedict isn’t having it and storms out before Colin even comes back with drinks.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But the deeper wound comes after Bree storms out.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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