1
as in assaulted
to take sudden, violent action against
our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slammed
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tackled
to start work on energetically
Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attacked
Tonges, who before Sunday’s game had never caught a regular-season pass, attacked the ball and gave San Francisco the lead.
—
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
But when this lashing out becomes regular, the partner on the receiving end will start to expect their character to be attacked just as regularly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The 57-year-old was attacked while surfing about 100 meters offshore, in the city’s second fatal shark incident since 1963.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The man hit the ground, and the mob attacked.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
When the officer directed the man to the front of the station house for assistance, the suspect allegedly pulled out the butcher knife and attacked her but the officer was able to fight him off, Rivera said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
That arrived during the final segment on SmackDown after Becky Lynch verbally and physically attacked AJ's husband, CM Punk.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
While courageously intervening to protect a fellow passenger, he was viciously attacked.
—Judith Y. Kim, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
But when this lashing out becomes regular, the partner on the receiving end will start to expect their character to be attacked just as regularly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The 57-year-old was attacked while surfing about 100 meters offshore, in the city’s second fatal shark incident since 1963.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The man hit the ground, and the mob attacked.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
When the officer directed the man to the front of the station house for assistance, the suspect allegedly pulled out the butcher knife and attacked her but the officer was able to fight him off, Rivera said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
That arrived during the final segment on SmackDown after Becky Lynch verbally and physically attacked AJ's husband, CM Punk.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
While courageously intervening to protect a fellow passenger, he was viciously attacked.
—Judith Y. Kim, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacked
Verb
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One of the women estimated that the singer assaulted her at least 23 times during her six years of employment at the musician's home.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
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In 2020, Ellis claimed that the Grammy winner assaulted her outside of a Beverly Hills medical office in February 2018.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An evening bike ride on a rural road turned fatal in a most unusual way, when the cyclist slammed into a deer in the dark, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
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Supporters of Mangione have slammed Shein for using his likeness while his critics have also described the photo as a new low.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
San Francisco’s star defensive end tackled running back Ken Walker III for no gain on first-and-5 from the 9-yard line, then pushed right tackle Abe Lucas back in the pocket on second down, causing Darnold to fumble.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Most of the firefighters seen in the film are the same crews who tackled the blazes at Paradise.—
Andy Hazel,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sovereign was raided by the FBI in 2017.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
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Altunar and 30 others were arrested in June in Kings Mountain when about 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers raided a fire equipment plant.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Lox's reaction to being scolded.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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The government lawyers were frequently scolded by federal judges who dismissed the accusations against Abrego Garcia as baseless and ordered that he be returned to the United States, since he was illegally deported.—
Evan Mealins,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Around that time in 2016, an undercover FBI agent approached Donna Adelson purporting to extort her with information about the contract killing on behalf of Rivera.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Greenberg approached the project from a similar place.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Florida State was fined $50,000 after fans stormed the field following Saturday’s 31-17 victory over Alabama, becoming the first team in the ACC to receive the fine following the conference’s policy change in July.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Separately, the United Nations said Houthi authorities stormed its premises in areas under their control in Yemen and detained at least 11 personnel.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump contends blue slips are being abused as a tool of partisan obstruction.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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To an aspiring autocrat, power exists so that it can be abused.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attacked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacked. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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