1
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
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 ambush
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
However, some pastors, including Louisiana minister Rodney Kennedy, are applauding the protesters' ambush.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
In another high-profile attack, suspects ambushed authorities at the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
Fuentes feared a similar ambush.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
However, some pastors, including Louisiana minister Rodney Kennedy, are applauding the protesters' ambush.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Colorado Avalanche ambushed the Ottawa Senators’ goaltenders so badly Thursday night, the visitors signed a new one in the middle of the game.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
In another high-profile attack, suspects ambushed authorities at the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
-
His June assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities had two carrier groups in the region, more there as a counter-weight to any Iranian reprisals than to be directly involved in the attack.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Senegal -- The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on an air force base in Niger's capital that wounded four soldiers and damaged an aircraft.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Surplus models represent both an opportunity and a potential trap for consumers looking to secure a bargain on a new vehicle, and brokers urged treading carefully.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Be sure to clean the lint trap.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The jury convicted Sistrunk of entering a Bridgeport home on July 22, 2024, and assaulting two adult victims in that home, according to Corradino, who noted three other people also participated in the home invasion and assault on the victims.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Bill Essayli, has taken five defendants to trial on charges of assaulting officers — and his office has lost each case.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The team gathered their marten data via 285 hair snares (made from PVC pipe) and 135 cameras.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Its graphic clarity teems with ornament and glitter, visual intoxications that signal delusions and snares.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The administration’s response is to waylay Lucy in the hall and drag her unprepared into a surprise meeting with the dean, Caitie, and Baird’s second-creepiest professor, Marianne, to discuss coming forward with her (false) allegation of rape.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2026
-
In addition, the multiple injuries have waylaid his development.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On Friday, Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at a concert organized by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in Minneapolis, an event that benefitted the families of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were both killed by federal officers last month.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
After all, the award show always delivers on surprises.—
The Glamour editors,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One photographer visited Uganda and captured the striking image of a mountain of snares, used to trap wildlife and confiscated by the nation’s rangers.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That distinction captures the precarious foundation of today’s AI economy, which runs on venture-capital FOMO, not paying customers.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
