Definition of bombardnext
1
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against the Allies bombarded Germany for a great many months during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to barrage
to attack with a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once reporters bombarded the company spokesman with sharp questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb bombard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bombard are assail, assault, attack, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is assail a more appropriate choice than bombard?

While the synonyms assail and bombard are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When could assault be used to replace bombard?

While in some cases nearly identical to bombard, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When might attack be a better fit than bombard?

The words attack and bombard can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can storm be used instead of bombard?

The meanings of storm and bombard largely overlap; however, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

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 bombard While the resources needed to bombard Dashlane servers with that volume of guesses in such a short period of time are possible, they’re not commonly found in usual brute-force attacks. ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026 Its surface is continually being bombarded by energetic particles trapped in Jupiter’s magnetic field, which can break different organic molecules apart at different rates. Gideon Yoffe, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 We are so externally bombarded by information, sound and news. Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 25 May 2026 Since then, the United States has remained the predominant military backer and arms supplier of the Gulf states, which host various American air and naval forces in large bases throughout the region that Iran bombarded during this latest war. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
Verb
  • The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • As the fire between Israel and Hezbollah intensified and Israel threatened to bomb Hezbollah targets in Beirut earlier this month, Iran vowed to suspend negotiations with the US if the Lebanese capital was struck.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • April is financial literacy month, which means consumers will be barraged with articles and programs designed to promote personal finance education.
    Leah Locke, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Each character has totally justified and totally unjustified reasons for resenting one another, and the sensation of absorbing those contrasting opinions is like being in a stuck bumper car, barraged and battered from all sides.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Just attacking everything with strikes.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
  • Police in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights have released a sketch of a man accused of attacking and choking a woman this past weekend.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The shooting came hours after thousands of Knicks fans flooded streets across Manhattan to celebrate the franchise's first NBA title since 1973.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • Jubilant Knicks fans flooded the streets of New York Saturday night, crowding into intersections and climbing light poles and buses, to celebrate the team’s first NBA championship win in more than 50 years.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bombard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombard. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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