as in attacked
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
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Recent Examples of ambushed
While serving a tour of duty outside the province of Kandahar in Afghanistan in August of 2011, he was ambushed by Taliban insurgents disguised in Afghan National Army uniforms.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
One morning in 1980, Carl Fletcher, head of one of the richest Jewish families in Long Island and owner of a local plastics factory, is ambushed and kidnapped from his driveway.
—The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
In the first inning, when the Tigers both waited out Pivetta and ambushed him, three of his 18 four-seam fastballs were in the strike zone.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
When their transport convoy is ambushed, the two are forced to run while being shackled to each other and need to work together to reach their destination alive and on time.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Thousands of immigrants have been ambushed by masked ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza over the past year while walking out of court hearings and held in custody at the complex, according to ICE data obtained by the Deportation Data Project.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Law enforcement officials said the officer was ambushed by two gunmen and shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla while working on an undercover investigation.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Park Service Police Chief Scott Brecht told reporters late Monday night that at least two officers were driving in an unmarked white Tesla during an ongoing investigation when two gunmen ambushed them.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Gunmen ambushed and killed security personnel in Nigeria’s Plateau state.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
One morning in 1980, Carl Fletcher, head of one of the richest Jewish families in Long Island and owner of a local plastics factory, is ambushed and kidnapped from his driveway.
—The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
In the first inning, when the Tigers both waited out Pivetta and ambushed him, three of his 18 four-seam fastballs were in the strike zone.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
When their transport convoy is ambushed, the two are forced to run while being shackled to each other and need to work together to reach their destination alive and on time.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Thousands of immigrants have been ambushed by masked ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza over the past year while walking out of court hearings and held in custody at the complex, according to ICE data obtained by the Deportation Data Project.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Law enforcement officials said the officer was ambushed by two gunmen and shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla while working on an undercover investigation.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Park Service Police Chief Scott Brecht told reporters late Monday night that at least two officers were driving in an unmarked white Tesla during an ongoing investigation when two gunmen ambushed them.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Gunmen ambushed and killed security personnel in Nigeria’s Plateau state.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambushed
Verb
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After watching his ball go into the bunker, the LIV golfer then attacked a nearby water cooler, severing the head of the club from its shaft.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Araghchi, part of Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, said Saturday that his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again.—
E. Eduardo Castillo,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brian Hooker told an officer he had been assaulted by his wife, who struck him multiple times, according to the report, which said he was found with a swollen, bloody nose.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Metro said the person, who remains unidentified publicly, was assaulted aboard Metro Bus line 76.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now Picard is zipping around the cosmos again, The Lord of the Rings is waylaid with prequels and spin-offs, and somehow, Palpatine returned.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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You’d be surprised how many students hold their breath while exercising.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The appearance of Celia Cruz, the undisputed queen of salsa, among the 2026 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, may have surprised some.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video in the area captured the moment when at least five gunshots can be heard as the incident unfolded.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The world record landed in the middle of a heated high school relay race that had captured the attention of the stadium announcer and most of the fans.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambushed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambushed. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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