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
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Recent Examples of attacks
Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common.
—Philip Martin, Fortune, 29 May 2026
In some communities distrust of outside authorities and aid organizations has led to attacks on treatment centers, while the outbreak’s spread through Ituri—a major commercial and migration hub—has heightened concerns about wider regional and international transmission.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
With the June 2 primary days away, California’s top three governor hopefuls barnstormed the state Friday, wooing unions, firing attacks and sharpening contrasts in a tight, high-stakes race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
In state offices, though men reported higher levels of threats and attacks, more women than men experienced harassment and insults.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
One of those regional officials said the strikes by Saudi Arabia targeted hideouts of Iraqi militias, mainly Kataib Hezbollah, after Riyadh assessed that most of the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia came from neighboring Iraq.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Ukrainian drone attacks have damaged oil infrastructure capacity and ports, pipelines, and refineries are already running close to their limits, Reuters reported.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Dennis waits until Mallory leaves to go on a bike ride, and then attacks her on the path.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome early in his career, a rare degenerative condition that attacks the navicular bone in the foot.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 May 2026
But the players’ proposal smartly attacks the issue from the other direction.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Hsu attacks the transformation with fearless physical comedy and emotional sincerity, balancing the musical's absurdity with genuine warmth.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
OpenClaw attacks that problem directly.
—Oleg Malii, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Hate directed at Jewish families, Muslim communities, Black residents, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, or anyone else attacks the values that make our communities strong and welcoming.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 17 May 2026
The sophomore star attacks every corner of the strike zone, fearlessly challenging batters in spots most pitchers avoid, while processing angles and situations in real time.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Noun
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common.
—Philip Martin, Fortune, 29 May 2026
In some communities distrust of outside authorities and aid organizations has led to attacks on treatment centers, while the outbreak’s spread through Ituri—a major commercial and migration hub—has heightened concerns about wider regional and international transmission.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
With the June 2 primary days away, California’s top three governor hopefuls barnstormed the state Friday, wooing unions, firing attacks and sharpening contrasts in a tight, high-stakes race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
In state offices, though men reported higher levels of threats and attacks, more women than men experienced harassment and insults.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
One of those regional officials said the strikes by Saudi Arabia targeted hideouts of Iraqi militias, mainly Kataib Hezbollah, after Riyadh assessed that most of the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia came from neighboring Iraq.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Ukrainian drone attacks have damaged oil infrastructure capacity and ports, pipelines, and refineries are already running close to their limits, Reuters reported.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Verb
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
Dennis waits until Mallory leaves to go on a bike ride, and then attacks her on the path.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome early in his career, a rare degenerative condition that attacks the navicular bone in the foot.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 May 2026
But the players’ proposal smartly attacks the issue from the other direction.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Hsu attacks the transformation with fearless physical comedy and emotional sincerity, balancing the musical's absurdity with genuine warmth.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
OpenClaw attacks that problem directly.
—Oleg Malii, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Hate directed at Jewish families, Muslim communities, Black residents, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, or anyone else attacks the values that make our communities strong and welcoming.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 17 May 2026
The sophomore star attacks every corner of the strike zone, fearlessly challenging batters in spots most pitchers avoid, while processing angles and situations in real time.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
The girl was 11 years old when the assaults began, according to prosecutors.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Some detailed violent interactions with customers, including robberies and physical assaults, and said the company didn’t provide safety training.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The United States and Iran traded strikes overnight in one of the most intense bouts of conflict since the increasingly tenuous ceasefire between the two countries began in April.—
Victoria Craw,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
-
Breaking activity into shorter bouts throughout the day (for example, three 10-minute walks instead of one 30-minute walk) may be more manageable for people with busy schedules but just as beneficial.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
1 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
-
From Bay Area poetry slams to national television, Frak has built a career around quick wit, improvisation, and sharp punchlines.—
Tylan Jennings,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
Justin Crawford slams into the wall for an INCREDIBLE catch!—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
One way to use that cap space is through accounting maneuvers designed to create more room in the future budget — like when quarterback Bo Nix approaches a massive second contract in 2027 or 2028.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Fans get to know actors, musicians and directors beyond surface level because Poehler approaches each conversation from a more personal perspective, instead of strictly professional.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
In response, guerrilla groups of liberals and the left emerged, gathering thousands of people in rural areas and launching offensives against the army.—
Roberto Andrés,
The Dial,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Overall, the operation netted 1,139 arrests, 984 firearm seizures, and 615 criminal indictments, according to an FBI document reviewed by Fox News Digital.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
If a fetus becomes infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to a range of health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice or other liver problems, abnormal blood counts, rashes, eye disease, developmental delays, seizures, brain calcification, and in extreme cases, stillbirth.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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