Synonyms of attacks

attacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of attack

1

as in assaults

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 & Similar Words

• assaults
• raids
• offensives
• onslaughts
• offenses
• strikes
• aggressions
• attempts
• bombardments
• counterattacks
• rushes
• incursions
• onsets
• blitzes
• invasions
• bombings
• charges
• ambushes
• blitzkriegs
• barrages
• coups de main
• descents
• sieges
• counteroffensives
• ambuscades
• sorties
• counterstrikes
• forays
• sallies
• ravages
• breakthroughs
• air raids
• envelopments
• volleys
• counterassaults
• sacks
• storms
• fusillades
• salvos
• counteraggressions
• cannonades
• pillages
• hails
• whammies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defenses
• shields
• guards
• resistances
• oppositions
• defensives
• securities
• protections
• shelters

2

as in bouts

a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder

malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bouts
• seizures
• cases
• spells
• sieges
• accesses
• pangs
• fits
• spasms
• turns
• relapses
• recurrences
• convulsions
• breakdowns
• agitations
• frenzies
• paroxysms
• collapses
• throes
• eclampsias
• brainstorms
• prostrations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• arrests
• reliefs
• remissions

attacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of attack

1

as in raids

to take sudden, violent action against

our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assaults
• raids
• storms
• strikes
• ambushes
• charges
• robs
• swarms
• turns (on)
• descends (on or upon)
• rushes
• assails
• invades
• jumps (on)
• besets
• sets at
• sets upon
• sets on
• rounds on
• flies at
• goes in (on)
• tears into
• bombs
• pounces (on or upon)
• pitches into
• beats up on
• goes at
• trashes
• bushwhacks
• surprises
• sics
• lights into
• flanks
• mobs
• besieges
• sacks
• ravages
• waylays
• barrages
• blitzes
• nukes
• bombards
• plunders
• gangs up (on)
• cannons
• loots
• batters
• forays
• ambuscades
• buffets
• mugs
• bum-rushes
• pillages
• beleaguers
• cannonades
• harries
• overruns
• plasters
• presses
• envelops
• bangs away (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protects
• shields
• covers
• defends
• secures
• guards

2

as in slams

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

• slams
• abuses
• insults
• scolds
• blasts
• criticizes
• savages
• assails
• jumps (on)
• curses
• excoriates
• bashes
• ties into
• vituperates
• potshots
• sails into
• harasses
• scathes
• lambastes
• castigates
• trashes
• belabors
• affronts
• beats up on
• reviles
• berates
• harangues
• harries
• slurs
• reprimands
• blasphemes
• lights into
• slanders
• execrates
• disparages
• libels
• belittles
• profanes
• vilifies
• rebukes
• whips
• imprecates
• fulminates
• asperses
• chastises
• bad-mouths
• chides
• lashes (out)
• laces (into)
• blackguards
• traduces
• puts down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praises
• commends
• hails
• compliments
• lauds
• acclaims

3

as in approaches

to start work on energetically

Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approaches
• tackles
• has at
• dives (into)
• undertakes
• addresses
• tears into
• wades (in or into)
• pursues
• sails into
• falls (to)
• pitches into
• goes at
• focuses (on)
• settles (down)
• concentrates (on)
• buckles (down to)
• faces
• lights into
• plunges (in)
• knuckles down (to)
• pitches in
• zeroes (in on)
• takes up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evades
• avoids
• shuns
• plays
• lags
• fools
• pokes
• messes
• fiddles (around)
• trifles
• monkeys (around)
• putters (around)
• dawdles
• idles
• dallies
• potters (around)
• dillydallies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of attacks

Noun

In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Russia set new wartime records for both the scale and pace of its missile attacks on Ukraine in July, according to data released by the Ukrainian Air Force. — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Ukraine’s attacks inside Russia come as its own civilians faced deadly Russian bombardment throughout the summer. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026

However, those shipments are now facing growing risks from Houthi attacks. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

And the United States has aided Israel throughout the war in Gaza following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026

At least 12 attacks have been recorded against health facilities and teams since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Israeli intelligence believes Iran moved part of its enriched uranium stockpile to Pickaxe Mountain after last June’s attacks, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN. — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Verb

Sheepstealer attacks Syrax, who breaks free long enough to pick up Rhaenyra and Rhaena and carry them back to the safety of King’s Landing. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Shortly after she was diagnosed with class 3 lupus nephritis, a serious complication in which lupus attacks the kidneys. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Automation attacks that number by turning lights off when nobody is there and dimming them when full brightness is not needed. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records. — Chase Jordan july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Greg becomes the first of Sara's friends to die when the shark attacks him in the water. — Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 29 July 2026

The filmmaker has previously spoken about having myositis — a disease where the immune system attacks the muscles — which has significantly affected his mobility. — Rino Lu, IndieWire, 28 July 2026

Russia regularly attacks Ukrainian logistics and retail facilities, including several that were hit last week. — Dasha Litvinova, Fortune, 24 July 2026

After the match, David Finlay attacks White before the rest of the Bang Bang Gang runs down to make the save. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026