Synonyms of ambush

ambush 1 of 2

noun

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

• attack
• ambushment
• trap
• surprise
• ambuscade
• assault
• capture
• hunting
• snare
• charge
• entrapment
• sally
• stalking
• mousetrap

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

• trap
• snare
• ruse
• web
• net
• deception
• trick
• envelopment
• entrapment
• subterfuge
• hazard
• entanglement
• catch
• snag
• pitfall
• duplicity
• cheat
• land mine
• ploy
• cheating
• booby trap
• enmeshment
• double-dealing
• artifice

ambush

2 of 2

verb

ˈam-ˌbu̇sh 

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

• attack
• assault
• waylay
• surprise
• capture
• ambuscade
• trap
• hunt
• strike
• storm
• assail
• stalk
• jump
• tackle
• snare
• entrap
• ensnare
• pounce (on)
• sally
• charge
• net
• mug
• prey (on or upon)
• mousetrap

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ambush

Noun

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the opposition People’s Party, has led the charge against Sanchez’s government, criticizing him again on Thursday after the ambush of the military vehicle. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Enter Danielle’s mother, Arlene (Susie Essman), whom Billie and Anton ambush at work. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Tete was arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when he was ambushed by two armed suspects. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

As Cole is driving Tibu back from a passing-of-the-torch party, the two are ambushed, and Tibu is killed. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026