Synonyms of bombard

bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd 

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

• bomb
• attack
• shell
• batter
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• ravage
• cannonade
• assault
• assail
• hit
• strafe
• pound
• rake
• devastate
• enfilade
• strike

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

• barrage
• flood
• bomb
• interrogate
• question
• examine
• harass
• inundate
• annoy
• pester
• pump
• quiz
• grill
• query
• cross-examine
• debrief
• hound
• catechize

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of bombard

Iran has bombarded several of its neighbors’ data centers, and the United States responded by attacking one of Iran’s. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Russia bombarded Ukraine last weekend with one of the largest ballistic-missile barrages of the entire war. — Mark Montgomery, Washington Post, 31 July 2026

Wells’ parents have also received threats, hate mail, and online harassment, and his mother, a nurse practitioner, has been bombarded with one-star reviews on her professional website. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

The party is now getting bombarded by GOP attack ads accusing its members of perpetuating insider trading. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

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