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
David Axe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The majority are exported to the U.S. and the E.U.
But in the wild, this shy companion turns into a patient ambush hunter.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
But despite the multiple sanctions, the gangs have grown stronger, ambushing and attacking police and soldiers, firing on U.S. embassy vehicles and forcing Haitians, as recently as Thursday night, to flee their burning homes.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
To prevent roadside bomb ambushes in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Americans learned to get ahead of the problem and hunt down the men who built and distributed the bombs.
—David Axe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The majority are exported to the U.S. and the E.U.
But in the wild, this shy companion turns into a patient ambush hunter.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
During a snowstorm outside of Jackson, Wyo., Joel (Pedro Pascal) saves Abby (Dever) from a horde of infected, only to be ambushed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
But despite the multiple sanctions, the gangs have grown stronger, ambushing and attacking police and soldiers, firing on U.S. embassy vehicles and forcing Haitians, as recently as Thursday night, to flee their burning homes.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier, was captured while on duty during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
12 May 2025
Noun
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So organizations often fall into the trap of title inflation to retain or attract talent, which breeds entitlement, short-term thinking and cultures that don't support employees' well-being.—
Tonushree Mondal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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There is no point in acting like Liverpool fans should be above the traps of tribalism and self-aggrandisement that all football fans fall into.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
8 May 2025
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Prosecutors also alleged that Pitt assaulted his ex with a cinderblock in June 2021 and strangled her in August of that year.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Noun
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We all have been bedeviled at times by bureaucratic snafus (and snares), and so improvement is necessary.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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From sticky asphalt graves to dinosaur-eating quicksand, these sites reveal how nature sometimes sets its own snares, and how life—on a mass scale—meets its end.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As other companies forecast price hikes and delay investments, waylaid by uncertainty around tariffs, Malhotra said Sparkz is poised to benefit.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Without the mesh, the moisture evaporates in the dry air as the temperature rises each day, but with it, the fog would be only temporarily waylaid– providing valuable fresh water to people, before it’s treated and cycled back into the ocean.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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If you’re not used to cleaning with vinegar, don’t let the smell surprise you.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
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Recent Blockbusters You might be surprised by how many high-profile Oscar winners from the past several years are sitting on Netflix.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Ciara captured the incident and posted it to TikTok on May 6.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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