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
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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
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
As the United States has escalated its attacks on Iran, there’s something pleasingly transgressive about bringing Iranian elements into such overtly Western music—so much so that the songs without Yaghmai’s playing seem a little subdued in comparison.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Washington — The sharpest economic decline in American history, the highest inflation in more than 40 years, aggressive political attacks from the White House, and the worst-ever global energy shock.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles in attacks across Ukraine this week over two consecutive days, Ukrainian officials said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2026
An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States has been brought to New York to face federal terrorism charges after what the FBI described as a major international operation.
—Louis Casiano , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
That is what many attacks look like today—not sophisticated hacks, but small moments where someone almost says yes.
—Andy White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The article focused on evidence and public conduct, not personal attacks.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.
—Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Your Immune System May Become Balanced Vitamin D and zinc may also tamp down hyperactive immune responses that occur in autoimmune diseases (conditions in which the body attacks itself).
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
Hantavirus is a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs and is typically contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a wild rodent.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said an immediate example would be for other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacks commercial shipping.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026
With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
According to the Mayo Clinic, autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the liver, causing damage.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
How does this Mikey become the Mikey who attacks Richie?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026
It is considered to be deadlier than HFRS and mostly attacks the lungs.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 May 2026
Noun
At the most recent debate, hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 on May 6, the seven candidates again clashed over housing and immigration, while Becerra and Steyer faced fierce attacks from both sides of the political spectrum, The Los Angeles Times reported.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
As the United States has escalated its attacks on Iran, there’s something pleasingly transgressive about bringing Iranian elements into such overtly Western music—so much so that the songs without Yaghmai’s playing seem a little subdued in comparison.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Washington — The sharpest economic decline in American history, the highest inflation in more than 40 years, aggressive political attacks from the White House, and the worst-ever global energy shock.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles in attacks across Ukraine this week over two consecutive days, Ukrainian officials said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2026
An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States has been brought to New York to face federal terrorism charges after what the FBI described as a major international operation.
—Louis Casiano , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
That is what many attacks look like today—not sophisticated hacks, but small moments where someone almost says yes.
—Andy White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The article focused on evidence and public conduct, not personal attacks.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.
—Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Verb
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
Your Immune System May Become Balanced Vitamin D and zinc may also tamp down hyperactive immune responses that occur in autoimmune diseases (conditions in which the body attacks itself).
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
Hantavirus is a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs and is typically contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a wild rodent.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said an immediate example would be for other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacks commercial shipping.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026
With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
According to the Mayo Clinic, autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the liver, causing damage.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
How does this Mikey become the Mikey who attacks Richie?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026
It is considered to be deadlier than HFRS and mostly attacks the lungs.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
The girl reported the assaults to her elementary school teacher while Dixon was incarcerated on unrelated charges, according to court records.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Sawtelle said Coogler also has been punished while awaiting trial in jail for being involved in assaults on other inmates.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Southern summers can be unforgiving, with unexpected storms followed by bouts of humidity.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
JPMorgan cautioned that markets appeared technically stretched after the sharp rally and that bouts of consolidation were likely.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
That figure has dwindled to around 3 percent as fewer candidates avail themselves of the money and Congress raids the fund for other things.—
Adam Lashinsky,
Washington Post,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now, however, the team behind the new research believes the events are caused when a compact stellar remnant, like a black hole or a neutron star, slams into the universe's hottest class of star, massive stellar bodies called Wolf-Rayet stars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
In other words, automatic registration slams the courthouse door on women, but not on men, because registration is its own injury.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That philosophy also shapes how the property approaches sustainability, through the language and practice.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
On Monday, May 11, Colbert welcomed guests Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver for a joint interview as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert approaches its final episodes.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The Oilers won nine series in the last four years and represented the West in unsuccessful offensives against the Florida Panthers in each of the past two Junes.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
The army has retaken territory from ethnic militias, including the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which had launched powerful offensives along with pro-democracy resistance forces in northeastern Myanmar near the Chinese border and in western Myanmar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Early symptoms include headache, fever and nausea, before progressing to confusion, coma and seizures.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Preeclampsia can impair kidney and liver function, cause blood clotting problems, fluid in the lungs, seizures, and, in severe forms or when left untreated, result in maternal and infant death.—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
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
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Blanche says on Monday that the noises correspond with the time the suspect allegedly storms the Secret Service security checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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