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
Relevance
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
Two months into Donald Trump’s second term, his Republican attack dogs, including Elon Musk and his minions at DOGE, are still busy chewing into many parts of the federal government.
—
John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Poilievre, for years the party’s go-to attack dog, is a firebrand populist who blamed Canada’s cost-of-living crisis on Trudeau.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Freedman has always seen himself as the attack dog for the underdogs.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Donnelly, meanwhile, relished his role as an attack dog.
—Meg Bernhard, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Poilievre, for years the party’s go-to attack dog, is a firebrand populist who blamed Canada’s cost-of-living crisis on Trudeau.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Freedman has always seen himself as the attack dog for the underdogs.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Donnelly, meanwhile, relished his role as an attack dog.
—Meg Bernhard, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack dog
Noun
-
Sharks spotted off Massachusetts coast: 'This is an enormous shark...—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Whale sharks are also moving between Indian states, highlighting the need for awareness campaigns beyond Gujarat.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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
Noun
-
Today there are two main types of lobbyists in Springfield: those who work exclusively for a single corporation or interest group — the state’s manufacturers or retailers, for instance — and those who contract with a variety of clients, essentially hired guns for anyone willing to pay.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Nov. 2024
-
Every four years, ambitious consultants and hired guns sit down with aspiring presidents and sell them a lie.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 Aug. 2023
Noun
-
When McGee got word that the hit man gunning for LaRoche was en route, Tammy got looped in and everyone took the sitch much more seriously — especially when the cops stationed outside got taken out.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Image ‘Old Guy’ Christoph Waltz stars as an older hit man who begrudgingly trains his Gen-Z replacement in this tired action comedy directed by Simon West.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Back home, more pink slips for federal employees go out and the scrutiny of Elon Musk's role as the hatchet man for those agencies intensifies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Musician and producer Grimes made a rare comment involving her ex-partner and father to her three kids, Elon Musk, after their 4-year-old son appeared alongside the tech mogul turned government hatchet man at the White House on Wednesday.—
Kevin Dolak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack%20dog. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share