Thesaurus results for ATTACK DOG

attack dog

noun

Definition of attack dog

as in shark

one who makes harsh, personal attacks against opponents his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 dog Activists detained when their flotilla attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza say they have been mistreated at the hands of Israeli soldiers, describing beatings, tasers and attack dogs. — Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026 After Trump won, Giuliani continued as his attack dog, even traveling to Ukraine to seek damaging information about Biden’s son, Hunter. — Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 4 May 2026 Now a kidnapper is after the little sister of the dead men and she’s saved by Alice and Rex, who are not attack dogs but can still inflict pain. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 Vance often has served as an attack dog for the administration, including lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an Oval Office visit. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attack dog

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack dog

Noun

Deaths by toothpick average three per year, slightly less than annual shark attack fatalities.

— Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
In 1986, a fiberglass sculpture of a shark plunging headfirst into the roof of an ordinary-looking row house in the English town of Headington appeared as if out of nowhere.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Definition of shark

Noun

Social media platforms were a critical battleground during the campaign, with political mudslingers waging cyberwar with few legal constraints after the government failed to act on calls for a new law to protect democracy in the internet age.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2019
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.

— Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, 20 May 2018

Definition of mudslinger

Noun

That would be impressive enough, but don’t forget that year’s edition of the team also had UFA hired guns Luc Robitaille and Brett Hull.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Every four years, ambitious consultants and hired guns sit down with aspiring presidents and sell them a lie.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 17 Aug. 2023

Definition of hired gun

Noun

Pinson kind of looked like that hit man or fixer on that show about crystal meth in New Mexico.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
After a summer of mysterious teasers, Drake’s fourth and final livestream ahead of the album drops suggested that Iceman’s title is a reference to Richard Kuklinski, the tristate-area mob hit man (not the X-Men icon).

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 May 2026

Definition of hit man

Noun

While he was sent by the White House to be a hatchet man, Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, should use a scalpel with care, conducting a real, legitimate probe that seeks ways to save money for taxpayers and improve outcomes for patients.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2010, the duo separated, going opposite directions; Malice sought repentance through the church while Pusha became a hatchet man for Kanye West.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025

Definition of hatchet man

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“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack%20dog. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of attack dog

noun

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