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
Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DANGER ALERT — Americans warned of potential attacks in vacation spot as border crossing fee doubles.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Moo Moo Cow, a popular ice cream shop in Federal Hill, was also a victim of three vandalism attacks, in which suspects threw bricks and a rock through the front windows.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The World Health Organization said in March that over 200 attacks have targeted health care since the war began.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
In February a hacker used Claude in a series of attacks against Mexican government agencies, stealing sensitive tax and voter information, Bloomberg reported.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
This will undoubtedly give Moscow a boost in its attacks on Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the attacks, though meant to be symbolic, were still dangerous—and reckless.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DANGER ALERT — Americans warned of potential attacks in vacation spot as border crossing fee doubles.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Moo Moo Cow, a popular ice cream shop in Federal Hill, was also a victim of three vandalism attacks, in which suspects threw bricks and a rock through the front windows.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The World Health Organization said in March that over 200 attacks have targeted health care since the war began.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
In February a hacker used Claude in a series of attacks against Mexican government agencies, stealing sensitive tax and voter information, Bloomberg reported.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
This will undoubtedly give Moscow a boost in its attacks on Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
But the attacks, though meant to be symbolic, were still dangerous—and reckless.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Botulism occurs when people eat food contaminated with botulinum toxin, a potent toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Global oil prices have surged as Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and attacks regional energy infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to around $107 a barrel, more than 45 percent higher than before the war began.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Aidan died at the age of seven from adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.
—Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Patients with myositis, an immune disease that attacks muscle, have shown significant improvements in strength.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
Washington reports only assaults involving a dangerous weapon.—
Stella Canino-Quinones,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The detective said police believe all of the suspects who committed the in-person robberies and assaults in the Bay Area and California have been arrested.—
Megan Cassidy,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During bouts of insomnia, Altman would wander by them in his pajamas.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Casual Pickleball or Tennis While most people assume playing pickleball or tennis is going to burn a lot of calories, MacDonald says that short bouts and frequent rest periods can reduce the number of calories burned.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The shop held monthly poetry slams and won numerous local awards for best bookstore in the city.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, Michigan continues to play a large role in shaping the nation's future, especially in presidential elections.—
Rachelle Graham,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The cast approaches the picture with a delightfully devil-may-care sincerity, playing off of one another with a simple ease.—
Gina Friedlande,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the forces being deployed are light infantry, units that lack the large armored vehicles, including tanks, that typically underpin sustained ground offensives.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Putin is widely expected to launch new offensives as the weather in Ukraine improves, piling further pressure on Kyiv.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators later uncovered one of the largest contraband seizures in the prison's history, including more than a pound of pure methamphetamine, marijuana, cell phones, and other items hidden inside the facility.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Another was a 2-year-old (also not vaccinated), who had brain abscesses and seizures and has had lasting effects.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But in the moment, no one seems more upset by the confession than Rachel, who storms away despite her prior promises not to judge.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Her humiliation is laid bare for everyone in the room — the Easter brunch has gone totally awry — and Ines storms out at the end of her performance.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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