as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against
the muggers pounced on the unsuspecting tourists as soon as they rounded the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pounce (on or upon)
Verb
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The sole occupant of the home was assaulted and tied up before the suspect stole several items from the home, including a vehicle, then used that vehicle to flee the scene, according to LeLacheur.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026 -
The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that two people were arrested for assaulting federal law enforcement, Reuters reported.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trump has also threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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She was shot to death about 12 hours after police raided Gilbert’s home and found the pistol used to kill Stevenson, according to court filings.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Noem sent Bovino and his Border Patrol agents into Los Angeles last June, and viral social-media clips of agents raiding Home Depot parking lots soon followed.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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UConn Huskies stormed back from the dead, erasing a massive deficit before freshman Braylon Mullins buried a 35-foot buzzer-beater to seal a stunning 73–72 win in the Elite Eight.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Fungi aren’t literally storming areas like rain or hail, but storms act as the vehicle while the spores supply the threat.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The return to work in March of about 31,000 striking Kaiser Permanente health care workers accounts for some of the rebound.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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Police said Ebert intentionally drove his car, struck the neighbor, and took off.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pounce (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pounce%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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