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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ambush
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Johnson, a Miami Gardens native, was killed in 2017 during an ambush while on a military mission in Niger.
—Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
In Qing Dynasty-era China, a renowned warrior, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), tries to track down the bandit who ambushed Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and made off with Li Mu Bai’s Green Destiny sword.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
But even though Cal and Belle survive that cliffhanger ambush, that doesn’t mean anyone is out of harm’s way yet on Marshals.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Johnson, a Miami Gardens native, was killed in 2017 during an ambush while on a military mission in Niger.
—Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Verb
The scene is near where a gunman ambushed two members of the West Virginia National Guard in November.
—Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
In Qing Dynasty-era China, a renowned warrior, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), tries to track down the bandit who ambushed Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and made off with Li Mu Bai’s Green Destiny sword.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The plants may have to be removed and monitoring traps may be placed in the area.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
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Sinner with his changes of direction that turned neutral rallies into traps.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The idea of creating a fund that could compensate people who assaulted police officers and vandalized the Capitol, that is totally unacceptable.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
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The woman in the video was charged with breaking and entering, resisting a public officer, and assault on a government official or employee, according to a warrant for her arrest issued Friday.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Tonya Lee Jaynes, the drummer, puts her entire life force into the bass and snare.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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The beats are stiffly period-appropriate, repurposing Shawty Redd snare rolls, bouncy Zaytoven keys, and snap music low end without flourish.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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United’s on-field underperformance has waylaid their finances for years, so an inversion of that this season has been very helpful.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Barbra Streisand was meant to show up to receive a honorary Palme d’Or, but was waylaid by a knee injury.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Some of these are already established, but there all but guaranteed to be surprises in store as the tournament gets underway.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
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There is a sense of buoyancy in the squad, fresh off a celebratory club-wide parade and Shaw’s surprise signing announcement.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The woman, of course, is a 29-year-old Marilyn Monroe, captured by American photojournalist Eve Arnold in Long Island, New York.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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The allegations emerged after two women set up trail cameras and captured footage of the rescue’s owner burying dogs on his property.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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