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attack

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attack are assail, assault, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When could assail be used to replace attack?

The words assail and attack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When might assault be a better fit than attack?

Although the words assault and attack have much in common, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would bombard be a good substitute for attack?

The synonyms bombard and attack are sometimes interchangeable, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When can storm be used instead of attack?

While the synonyms storm and attack are close in meaning, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attack
Noun
Videos posted on Telegram show a large fire near Kremenchuk after the attack. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025 In the far-western Lviv region, a large fire broke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobych after a drone attack that also cut electricity to parts of the city. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
In October 2024, a black bear attacked and injured a 74-year-old man after entering his home in Colorado with three of her cubs. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025 Wallowing in his depression, Louis is attacked by Tom Cruise's Lestat de Lioncourt, a Parisian vampire transplant. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
  • Healthcare facilities that serve low-income patients have reported a recent spike in no-shows as residents lacking documentation opt to skip medical visits amid rumors of raids at hospitals and clinics.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
  • Julia and Jock told me the event was cathartic, especially with everything going on: the ICE raids, the casual erasure of trans people.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The motivation for this Paul fight doesn’t appear to be at the same level as some of his previous bouts.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The ceasefire ended the bloodiest bout of violence in the decades-long grudge match between Iran and Israel, but the hours after its immediate announcement saw some of the fiercest fighting in the 12-day war.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Rihanna's has been candid about her relationship with her father over the years, and spoke out against her father after she was assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009 and Fenty reportedly spoke to the press about the incident without his daughter's consent.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • According to Dominguez, Smith physically assaulted Turner and pulled out some of her hair.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Sanders slams corporations, CEOs At the heart of the issues in America’s political climate, Sanders said, is an immense concentration of wealth among a select few corporations and people.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
  • Continue reading … 'FAKE NEWS' – White House slams CNN report claiming Dems weren't briefed on Iran strike.
    , FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The sheriff's office warned that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous, and said that anyone who sees him should not attempt to contact or approach him.
    Kerry Breen June 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025
  • Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach and to call 911 immediately.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • While Quansah gave away a penalty to make it 2-1, England defended Spain’s second half onslaught incredibly well both collectively and individually.
    Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Shops have been closed across Tehran, including in its famed Grand Bazaar, as people wait in gas lines and pack roads leading out of the city to escape the onslaught.
    Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The seizures allowed the receiver to return some assets to clients.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Newport police declined to provide more information about the seizure.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • MacDonough also advised Chief Justice John Roberts during both of Trump’s Senate impeachment trials, including the one that came in response to rioters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Padres manager Mike Shildt stormed out of the dugout and started yelling toward the Dodgers dugout, prompting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to confront Shildt.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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