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 Plus, we voters wouldn’t be bombarded with political ads until November. Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 Pro-Russian groups are bombarding popular AI systems with propaganda to coax chatbots into regurgitating Kremlin talking points, according to senior European officials, raising concerns ahead of America’s midterm elections about how to respond to the growing attempt to silently manipulate voters. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 June 2026 The 10 tracks of Ton Up are at once his briskest and heaviest yet, miniaturizing his trademark loops of Dillafied psychedelia into speaker-rattling sample snippets that bombard uptempo house beats in dizzying volleys. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 Following the announcement, Gutierrez was bombarded with criticism online, with some accusing him of selling out while venting their frustrations. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
Verb
  • Things had improved since then, before spilling out into the open late last year when Saudi Arabia bombed a port in Yemen targeting a weapons shipment from the UAE.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 July 2026
  • The administration has since tried to bomb its way out of this war, but without the ability to hold territory, the United States is now merely depleting its stocks of expensive ordnance to little strategic effect.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 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
  • Spain’s front men are difficult to ignore Despite only one attacking return, Lamine Yamal ($10m) is still Spain’s most exciting fantasy option.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The tourist who was attacked by a bison on Friday at Yellowstone National Park is recovering after being flung into the air.
    Zoe Cummings, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The final show of Jay-Z's anniversary concert series at Yankee Stadium on Sunday was delayed for hours after hundreds of ticketless fans flooded the gates and breached security, according to officials.
    Christina Fan, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Social media feeds are flooded with highlights and memes of the Norway striker, and fans can’t get enough.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bombard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombard. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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