Thesaurus results for BOMBARD

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd

Definition of bombard next

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

Relevance

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

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

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 This is what happened when Comal Pieper, bombarded by a relentless attack all game by a dominant Frisco Wakeland, squeaked off with a 1-0 win Friday at Birkelbach Field in the UIL Class 5A Division II championship game. —

Staff Writter, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026 Women suffering through the hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems that can come with menopause — all while looking in the mirror and noticing signs of aging — are being bombarded with products. —

ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026 But as Israel and the US continue attacking Iran, with Israel also bombarding Lebanon, progressives are amplifying their demand for clearer moral positioning on the Middle East. —

David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026 The flagship was heavily bombarded, caught fire and eventually exploded, sending debris across the harbor and sinking with most of its crew aboard. —

Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bombard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard

Verb

These threats are something Shojaei and her family know all too well — her brother Masoud, who is retired from playing, has had his assets frozen by the Iranian regime over recent weeks — while their neighbourhood was bombed by the US-Israeli offensive.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Iran drew a line in the sand against Israel continuing to bomb Lebanon.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026