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 Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 In the fight over solar development, Heath said he was bombarded by just about every argument from critics — including claims that solar fields are a health hazard. Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026 While walking to her car, Penton was bombarded with insults from shouting supporters of Delgado-Garcia wearing green. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 Yet the current system, where kids are bombarded by tests and parents by test scores, has real limitations. Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bombard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard
Verb
  • Before Paddack was bombed Sunday, the Marlins had no intention of promoting Garrett or Snelling or White immediately.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
  • Trump claimed Friday that the law is a moot point because the United States is no longer bombing Iran.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Checchi, in particular, barraged voters with an unrelenting flood of ads.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In fact, the Sixers will be better equipped to attack this Knicks flaw if Embiid can return at any point in the series.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
  • In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Billions of dollars in private investment and federal dollars have flooded into the area in recent years, but many local businesses still express concerns about a lagging regional economy.
    Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • Celebrations are sure to continue late into the night in Catalonia, and players and coaching staff flooded the pitch at the final whistle.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bombard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombard. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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