as in attacking
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
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Recent Examples of ambushing
Arizona’s offense set the tone for the night by absolutely ambushing Ray, needing just six pitches to plate four runs.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Atletico’s path to the semifinals has been taking first-leg leads — ambushing Tottenham at home then winning at Barcelona — before riding out severe pressure in the return game.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Israel’s offensive, which lasted just over a month, was largely seen as a success for Hezbollah, with the militant group holding off Israeli advances and ambushing troops in the south of the country.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Grass lines in 8 to 15 feet of water make a perfect location for ambushing their prey and hiding from other predatory fish like muskies.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Rajabi was therefore reduced to meeting Khamenei by ambushing him after evening prayers in his compound.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
The man accused of ambushing two West Virginia National Guard members in a shooting in the nation's capital, killing one and wounding another, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Among the Builsa people, songs are still sung about retreating from slave raiders into rocky and cavernous areas, and then ambushing them.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Over the past two months, JNIM has stepped up attacks on fuel supplies, ambushing tankers on the roads from Ivory Coast and Senegal.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Atletico’s path to the semifinals has been taking first-leg leads — ambushing Tottenham at home then winning at Barcelona — before riding out severe pressure in the return game.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Israel’s offensive, which lasted just over a month, was largely seen as a success for Hezbollah, with the militant group holding off Israeli advances and ambushing troops in the south of the country.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Grass lines in 8 to 15 feet of water make a perfect location for ambushing their prey and hiding from other predatory fish like muskies.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Rajabi was therefore reduced to meeting Khamenei by ambushing him after evening prayers in his compound.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
The man accused of ambushing two West Virginia National Guard members in a shooting in the nation's capital, killing one and wounding another, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Among the Builsa people, songs are still sung about retreating from slave raiders into rocky and cavernous areas, and then ambushing them.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Over the past two months, JNIM has stepped up attacks on fuel supplies, ambushing tankers on the roads from Ivory Coast and Senegal.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambushing
Verb
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At times, though, Gordon’s decision-making in the attacking third and in front of goal can be lacking.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Brookline Fire says one employee suffered minor burn injuries, and a firefighter got a laceration while attacking the fire.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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According to Cabarrus County court records, Howell, 35, was arrested Saturday and charged with assaulting Dennis Manchester at the track.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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Radimak was accused of getting out of his car and assaulting her and a 35-year-old woman before fleeing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Hurley has previously shared her advice for capturing the perfect bikini photo.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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If the company wants to pay off that story, one path would be Omega finally capturing the championship before defending it against Ospreay at Wembley Stadium.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambushing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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