1
as in raids
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 assaults
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 abuses
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
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Recent Examples of attacks
Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
But Raducanu’s identity has been harder to maintain — or even define — against the best and most devastating attacks on the WTA Tour.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Its path has proven quite timely, too, helping the country process its grief in the aftermath of a plane crash in 2001, the death of NASCAR Dale Earnhardt and the tragic loss of life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
There have been other attacks on attorney general officials in Baja California, including vehicles burned last month in Mesa de Otay and Playas de Tijuana.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Local authorities said the electricity supplies to several settlements in the Volgograd, Voronezh and Belgorod regions were disrupted by the Ukrainian attacks.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Israel has accused Hamas of operating in civilian areas, thus necessitating attacks that endanger noncombatants.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
Luos and Kalenjins targeting Kikuyus, and Kikuyus mobilizing reprisal attacks.
—CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
If the person is untreated, the methanol metabolizes into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and nervous system, leading to blindness, organ failure or death within 48 hours.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Those with the condition do not create enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels—because their immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce it.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The monkey’s genitals are burned with a candle, and it is placed in a cage with a mongoose, which attacks it.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
But together a picture emerges of a long-standing movement eager to stop anyone who attacks a principle or personality its adherents hold dear.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, in July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first implantable VNS device for rheumatoid arthritis, a painful autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The flesh-eating parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, attacks warm-blooded animals, including humans.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Kabul wants to hedge against its deteriorating relationship with its former patron Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban of harboring a separate but allied group that has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
But Raducanu’s identity has been harder to maintain — or even define — against the best and most devastating attacks on the WTA Tour.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Its path has proven quite timely, too, helping the country process its grief in the aftermath of a plane crash in 2001, the death of NASCAR Dale Earnhardt and the tragic loss of life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
There have been other attacks on attorney general officials in Baja California, including vehicles burned last month in Mesa de Otay and Playas de Tijuana.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Local authorities said the electricity supplies to several settlements in the Volgograd, Voronezh and Belgorod regions were disrupted by the Ukrainian attacks.
—Lilia Geho, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Israel has accused Hamas of operating in civilian areas, thus necessitating attacks that endanger noncombatants.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
Luos and Kalenjins targeting Kikuyus, and Kikuyus mobilizing reprisal attacks.
—CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
With Pervis Estupinan or Davide Bartesaghi holding width on the left and No 9 Santiago Gimenez dragging defenders away, Pulisic attacks the gap between centre-back and full-back, arriving in stride rather than starting wide.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
If the person is untreated, the methanol metabolizes into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and nervous system, leading to blindness, organ failure or death within 48 hours.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Those with the condition do not create enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels—because their immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce it.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The monkey’s genitals are burned with a candle, and it is placed in a cage with a mongoose, which attacks it.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
But together a picture emerges of a long-standing movement eager to stop anyone who attacks a principle or personality its adherents hold dear.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, in July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first implantable VNS device for rheumatoid arthritis, a painful autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The flesh-eating parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, attacks warm-blooded animals, including humans.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
What about the argument that ICE raids will create jobs for American workers?—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
This year has been nothing short of horrific for our country’s Latine population, thanks to the current administration’s anti-immigration legislation and numerous, often-violent ICE raids, resulting in mass deportations and detainment (sometimes among legal residents and citizens).—
Sofía Viera,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The boxer was 40-9 during his career and had epic bouts with Oscar De La Hoya, Mickey Ward and Floyd Mayweather Jr.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The film highlights mundane details of camaraderie behind the scenes of every fight, emphasizing the bonds between the fighters, who would often root for one another after their bouts were over.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Bowles abuses those pass-blocking rules by stunting the three-technique, Logan Hall (90), across the left guard's face, knowing the guard will follow him.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Two, each is rebuilding to a degree as the 2025-2026 season rapidly approaches.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The testy scenes underscore an increasingly bitter rapport between America's two major political parties, as the first government shutdown in seven years approaches the start of a third week.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His daughter-in-law particularly suffered from these nocturnal assaults and became ill.—
Robert Eggers,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Pokrovsk likely remains Russia's priority axis, with the largest proportion of Russian assaults relative to the rest of the frontline.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shortly before his death, Maka began having brief seizures, so the team began scheduling comprehensive evaluations.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Acetaminophen can be toxic when ingested in larger doses than recommended, with symptoms, including abdominal pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and even seizures.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After a beat, Eilish is seen yanking herself away and storms off, surrounded by security with an angry scowl on her face.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Kyle storms off and vows to find whoever is responsible.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Head slams right into the turf.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Build a heavily-armored door that slams shut via a trigger and control panel, and get ready to battle with the rotating turret.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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