1
as in attack
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
revolutionaries laid in ambush for the king along the route his carriage would travel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks across northeastern Syria, relying on a combination of guerrilla tactics, including small arms fire, ambushes, assassinations, and improvised explosive devices targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles.
—Caroline Rose, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Upon booting up the game and working through a pretty robust character creator, players arrive in Lumiose City and are immediately ambushed by a content creator/social media manager working for the corporation Quasartico, Inc.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
He was fatally shot in an ambush that also killed two Burnsville police officers in February 2024.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks across northeastern Syria, relying on a combination of guerrilla tactics, including small arms fire, ambushes, assassinations, and improvised explosive devices targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles.
—Caroline Rose, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
And in July – not far from the Dallas field office, at an ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas – attackers used fireworks to draw out ICE agents and ambush them.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Upon booting up the game and working through a pretty robust character creator, players arrive in Lumiose City and are immediately ambushed by a content creator/social media manager working for the corporation Quasartico, Inc.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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The confirmation of drones over Germany comes as NATO's Denmark investigates a wave of drone disruption to its airports that officials have characterized as a hybrid attack, and coincides with Estonian, Polish, and Romanian accusations against Russia of serious airspace incursions.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Overseas activists have tried to deliver aid in the past to Gaza but have either been intercepted by Israeli forces or come under some form of attack.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Like the noon window, there are a couple other trap games to consider here.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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But there are specific pointers for ensuring your trap catches the intruder.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said dozens were arrested on Saturday, including some who were physically assaulted.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
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Brown, who also faces separate charges of assaulting a federal officer, remains in custody without bond, while Samane was released on $5,000 bond.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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It’s also brilliantly arranged, from the chiming guitar on the intro to the way the rhythm section makes its entrance (McCartney-esque bassline and rat-a-tat snare) before pulling back on the chorus, where Ruess’ vocal appears to be floating in space on a bed of keyboards and piano.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Daugherty put the snare around the animal.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But underperformance has waylaid each of the last two seasons (159-165 over that period).—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
On the Padres’ meandering stroll to the postseason, they were almost waylaid again by the walk.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But what surprised me most about these curls was the stealthiness of the burn.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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Three days later, the couple's friends surprised them with a celebratory wedding dinner.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Against unrelenting machine gunfire, Wilson and his unit captured a strategically important hill, then pushed forward, even though he had been wounded multiple times, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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The flagship offers an expansive collection of wallcoverings, rugs, furniture, and more, and aims to capture the welcoming, gracious environment the brand is known for while signaling its evolution.—
Sydney Gore,
Architectural Digest,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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