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attack

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of attack

1 the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
  • The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack
Synonyms of attack

aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike
Words Related to attack

ambuscade, ambush

counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike

sally, sortie

envelopment, flanking

breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion

pillage, ravage, sack

air raid, bombardment, bombing

siege, storm

barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley

whammy
Near Antonyms of attack

defense, defensive, guard, shield

opposition, resistance

protection, security, shelter
2 a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
  • malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
Synonyms of attack

access, bout, case, fit, seizure, siege, spell, turn
Words Related to attack

recurrence, relapse

brainstorm, convulsion, eclampsia, pang, paroxysm, spasm, throe

agitation, frenzy

breakdown, collapse, prostration
Near Antonyms of attack

arrest, relief, remission

attack

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of attack

1 to take sudden, violent action against
  • our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms of attack

assail, assault, beset, bushwhack, charge, descend (on or upon), go in (on), jump (on), pounce (on or upon), raid, rush, set on, sic (also sick), storm, strike, trash, turn (on)
Words Related to attack

bum-rush, gang up (on), mob, swarm

mug, rob

ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize), waylay

blitz, bomb, bombard, nuke

barrage, cannon, cannonade

bang away (at), batter, buffet, plaster

beleaguer, besiege, press

harry, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack

foray, invade, overrun

envelop, flank
Phrases Synonymous with attack

beat up on, fly at, go at, light into, pitch into, round on, set at, set upon, tear into
Near Antonyms of attack

cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield
2 to criticize harshly and usually publicly
  • the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted
Synonyms of attack

abuse, assail, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, savage, scathe, slam, trash, vituperate
Words Related to attack

berate, harangue, harass, harry, revile, scold, whip

blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane

affront, insult, slur

asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down

libel, slander, traduce, vilify

chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, reproof

fulminate, lash (out)
Phrases Synonymous with attack

beat up on, light into, sail into, tie into
Near Antonyms of attack

acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise
3 to start work on energetically
  • Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm
Synonyms of attack

dive (into), tackle, wade (in or into)
Words Related to attack

address, approach, face

buckle (down to), concentrate (on), focus (on), knuckle down (to), zero (in on)

fall (to), pitch in, plunge (in), settle (down)

pursue, take up, undertake
Phrases Synonymous with attack

go at, have at, light into, pitch into, sail into, tear into
Near Antonyms of attack

avoid, evade, shun

dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool, idle, lag, mess, monkey (around), play, poke, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Synonym Discussion of attack

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.
    • plan to attack the town at dawn
assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.
    • assailed the enemy with artillery fire
assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.
    • Commandos assaulted the building from all sides.
bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.
    • bombarded the city nightly
storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.
    • preparing to storm the fortress

Learn More about attack

  1. See words that rhyme with attack Dictionary: Definition of attack Medical Dictionary: Definition of attack Spanish Central: Translation of attack Nglish: Translation of attack for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of attack for Arabic speakers

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