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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approaches
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
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 attacks
Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
While crime on public transit is rare, a recent Charlotte Observer investigation finding violent incidents were more likely to occur on buses rather than light rails, and detailed attacks on bus drivers.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In other news, OpenAI is taking a stab at prompt injection attacks, not necessarily by changing the platform itself, but by limiting which features are available to a user in the first place.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Investigators say the scheme, which involved two trials for an investigational drug meant to treat asthma attacks, began around February 2019 and continued through 2022, according to Olivera’s criminal information.
—Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
To defend against those attacks by Russian Shahed drones, Ukraine has deployed low- and high-tech air defense systems that include homegrown, inexpensive interceptor drones.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The bodycam footage shows Rivas swimming across the water before an alligator gives chase and attacks him.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
How Autoimmune Diseases Can Impact the Heart Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 June 2026
After Rieder wins the second ball and combines with Ndoye, Widmer dashes forward and attacks the space between Kosovo’s full-back and left-winger.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Ellie is soon possessed and attacks her family, leading to terrifying consequences.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Democrats, meanwhile, say the rhetoric sounds strikingly similar to the populist arguments advanced by the very progressives DeSantis routinely attacks.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Ings attacks every scene with a conspiratorial glint, the kind of presence who makes the camera feel lucky to have caught him.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Noun
And, in any case, many legal experts say the boat attacks amount to extrajudicial killings in violation of international law.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
While crime on public transit is rare, a recent Charlotte Observer investigation finding violent incidents were more likely to occur on buses rather than light rails, and detailed attacks on bus drivers.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In other news, OpenAI is taking a stab at prompt injection attacks, not necessarily by changing the platform itself, but by limiting which features are available to a user in the first place.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Investigators say the scheme, which involved two trials for an investigational drug meant to treat asthma attacks, began around February 2019 and continued through 2022, according to Olivera’s criminal information.
—Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
To defend against those attacks by Russian Shahed drones, Ukraine has deployed low- and high-tech air defense systems that include homegrown, inexpensive interceptor drones.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Verb
In a 1998 study published in Toxicon, researchers revealed that the inland taipan’s venom comprises a sophisticated mix of biologically active compounds, each of which attacks multiple physiological systems simultaneously.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The bodycam footage shows Rivas swimming across the water before an alligator gives chase and attacks him.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
How Autoimmune Diseases Can Impact the Heart Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 June 2026
After Rieder wins the second ball and combines with Ndoye, Widmer dashes forward and attacks the space between Kosovo’s full-back and left-winger.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Ellie is soon possessed and attacks her family, leading to terrifying consequences.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Democrats, meanwhile, say the rhetoric sounds strikingly similar to the populist arguments advanced by the very progressives DeSantis routinely attacks.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Ings attacks every scene with a conspiratorial glint, the kind of presence who makes the camera feel lucky to have caught him.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
The attack comes as the NYPD investigates a troubling string of chilling assaults against older New Yorkers.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
-
During the more than two-year span when the alleged crimes took place, Feigenbaum said that the only person who knew the full extent of what happened was Campbell, with several of the victims only finding out about the assaults after the defendant was arrested.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Regular movement reduces tension, worry and restlessness, even short bouts can calm the mind and body.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
Inside the Bemelmans’ Bar room espresso martinis were on steady order as random bouts of singing rang out alongside the live music.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
There's somatic empathy, the automatic wince when someone slams their hand in a door.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
In addition, an open lid that slams shut can pinch small fingers, and the water in a toilet can be a drowning hazard.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Still, as the day progresses, Mercury approaches a square to taskmaster Saturn, which becomes exact very early tomorrow.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
As the pair approaches the elevation point for their 11,000-foot plunge, Domingo appears to get a case of the first-time jitters.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
By targeting logistics hubs and resource stockpiles, Ukraine is attacking the systems that sustain Russian offensives.—
Aidan Stretch,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
The twin offensives are targeting Hamas and Hezbollah respectively, though critics argue that the operations are motivated at least in part by domestic politics — Israel is due to hold elections by October — and are amplifying troubling humanitarian situations in Gaza and Lebanon.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Without it, pets, and especially cats, could experience a deficiency that can lead to neurological issues, seizures and even death.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
The risk is particularly concerning in infants and during active seizures, when IV access can be difficult to maintain.—
Nisha Narayanan,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Gary ultimately storms off, but Duncan appreciates the insult, suggesting that Silicon Valley's venture capitalists love sociopaths.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
The plot is based around a routine jury site visit that turns deadly when a mercenary kill team led by Hewitt (Adkins) storms the location in search of a secret ledger detailing citywide corruption.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
