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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ambush
Leonie Baier, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Pakistan’s security forces killed 34 militants in multiple raids across the country, the military said on Wednesday, as a separate ambush blamed on the Pakistani Taliban killed four police officers near the Afghan border.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
The bats have a dual ambush strategy.
—Leonie Baier, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Pakistan’s security forces killed 34 militants in multiple raids across the country, the military said on Wednesday, as a separate ambush blamed on the Pakistani Taliban killed four police officers near the Afghan border.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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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
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The attack illustrated the care news outlets must take in reporting during wartime, and the responsibilities of American journalists to report the perspective of countries its government views as enemies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both teams created chances after the interval and Como coach Cesc Fabregas' changes paid off as Tasos Douvikas beat the offside trap to equalize.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Trump is risking falling into the Biden trap by asking Americans to endure higher prices for a war in the Middle East.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Solomon faces charges of forcibly assaulting a federal officer and inflicting bodily injury.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
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That’s because lawmakers put outsized effort into a slew of dangerous and divisive bills that assault the basic rights of every Floridian.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 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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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
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In season two, the pair head north to Darwin to help solve the murder of Eddie’s former partner but get waylaid investigating a murder in a remote river town of Barra Creek.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Stock the fridge, because surprise company might drop by.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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But many Oscar pundits abandoned ship, after Jordan pulled out a surprise win from the Actor Awards on March 1.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Conant, the Republican strategist, said Democrats need a response to Trump’s ability to capture support from the working class, which has long been the political demographic Democrats have been able to win over.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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Authorities said surveillance video from the gas station captured the moments leading up to the shooting.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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