Thesaurus

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

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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Thesaurus

attack

Synonyms and Antonyms of attack

attack

Synonyms and Antonyms of attack

Synonym Discussion of attack

Learn More about attack

Seen and Heard

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