1
as in assaulting
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 slamming
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 tackling
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 attacking
Teams found a way to negate Forest’s counter-attacking style.
—
Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
And more so than most nights, the Bengals' offensive identity for a long first-half stretch seemed to hinge on attacking quick underneath routes to open up shots to Higgins -- or Chase -- on Moss.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Republicans were nearly unanimous about the danger of Democrats attacking ICE.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
All 11 have to be attacking toward a common goal at full speed.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
What are the penalties for attacking an ICE agent?
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities recently launched a campaign attacking the governor for allowing the state’s overreliance on property taxes to worsen and for seeking to slash summer work programs that assist the state’s troubled youths.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
The early glimpses show a player with real potential in the attacking third, capable of thriving in transition and striking well at goal.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The European drive to rearm is being driven, or justified, in part by the fear that Russia may try to test NATO by attacking Poland or the Baltic States.
—Anatol Lieven, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
And more so than most nights, the Bengals' offensive identity for a long first-half stretch seemed to hinge on attacking quick underneath routes to open up shots to Higgins -- or Chase -- on Moss.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Republicans were nearly unanimous about the danger of Democrats attacking ICE.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
All 11 have to be attacking toward a common goal at full speed.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
What are the penalties for attacking an ICE agent?
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities recently launched a campaign attacking the governor for allowing the state’s overreliance on property taxes to worsen and for seeking to slash summer work programs that assist the state’s troubled youths.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
The early glimpses show a player with real potential in the attacking third, capable of thriving in transition and striking well at goal.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The European drive to rearm is being driven, or justified, in part by the fear that Russia may try to test NATO by attacking Poland or the Baltic States.
—Anatol Lieven, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacking
Verb
-
All the major charges against the 13-year-old accused of assaulting a police officer at the July 4 Red, White and Blue Ash were either dismissed by prosecutors or a magistrate.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In this particular case, assaulting someone is a crime and anyone caught doing it should be held accountable.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Springer was apoplectic, slamming his bat to the ground before taking out his frustration on his helmet back in the dugout.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The bus then hit an SUV, spinning it to the side before slamming into another truck.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His specific traits, such as leadership and tackling, are difficult to measure but fit exactly what the Rams needed this offseason as a finishing piece to their front seven.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Eddie Bauer Rainier Pant Perfect for tackling the outdoors, the Eddie Bauer Rainier Pant is treated with a water-repellent finish and designed with UPF protection to keep your skin safe in the daytime.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Taco Bell is raiding its vault and bringing fans along for the re-exploration.—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In La Cañada Flintridge, California, Chris Yee caught a bold brown bear raiding the family’s garage fridge and swiping a slice of watermelon.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Shipp is tasked with scolding her father and delivering leaden exposition.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Smith is approaching two years since deciding to make the managerial leap across the Atlantic.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The other raises hers to threaten the predators approaching their position.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a way, Vitale has cast himself as The Visitor from Teorema, storming into the Versace household and making a bit of a mess.—
Ludwig Hurtado,
Them.,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Virginia can expect a fine for the field storming.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Miller was accused of abusing three infants in her care at The Lawrence School in 2021 and 2022.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Department of Labor is also opening investigations into companies the agency says are abusing the system.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacking. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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