pounce 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pouncenext
as in attack

Related Words

Relevance

pounce

2 of 2

verb

as in to attack

Related Words

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 pounce
Noun
The reasoning — defensive-minded head coach, pounce on an ascending quarterback and build through draft — offer the Miami Dolphins a pathway out of obscurity. — Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 The hosts are sent a series of 10 recordings that may or may not contain secret messages about a mythical source of evil just waiting to pounce. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Heat will be poised to pounce if the right player falls through the cracks. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 Aegon even gets a good pouncing move on one of the soldiers, shanking him to death with a broken arrow. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pounce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pounce
  1. attack
  2. cavort
  3. romp
  4. frolic
  5. gambol
Noun
  • Iran’s new energy weapon Following the start of US- and Israeli-led attacks on February 28, Iran almost immediately declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, creating the largest oil supply shock in history.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • McGinley photographed models cavorting naked (always naked) through sand dunes in the Mojave Desert and pine forests in Vermont, in a frigid ice cave in upstate New York and perched above a rushing waterfall in Tennessee.
    — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
  • Sea-facing rooms have views of passing ships, cavorting dolphins and the magnificent sunsets.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026
Definition of cavort
Verb
  • Youngsters romped through the crowd, happily indulging in eggthrowing or dunking-machine antics or trying to climb to the pinnacle of a greased pole, where a $20 bill waited.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • England is also looking to secure its spot in its knockout, having romped to a 4-2 win against Croatia in its opener.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 23 June 2026
Definition of romp
Verb
  • Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026
  • However, the Scarlet Darkness Floral Smocked Dress is another stunning selection that’s under $35 now, and it’s practically made to be worn while frolicking around a European vineyard.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
Definition of frolic
Verb
  • The foundation's dogs typically eat about 10 metric tons (22,046 pounds) of dry food each year and spend their summers gamboling in the remnants of snow in the mountains before heading 40 kilometers (25 miles) down winding roads back to the kennel in Barryland.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
  • Okay, so the cow immediately finds its baby, and then there is a BABY COW gamboling in a field.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of gambol

Browse Nearby Words

poultry
pounce
pounced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pounce. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pounce

Nglish: Translation of pounce for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All