as in attacked
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 pounced (on or upon)
Verb
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Three people were killed and 20 more people were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2, according to public broadcaster NHK.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026 -
During the Gaza war, the Houthis attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea — including ships with no link to Israel — to pressure Israel into lifting its blockade on the enclave.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Detectives say the suspect, 45-year-old Ismael Martinez, had just assaulted his girlfriend with a knife; she was found wounded in a nearby vehicle and hospitalized.—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Lewis was accused of poisoning two white female housemates, assaulted by a white mob in response to the charge, and acquitted in court, only to then be accused of stealing art supplies and prohibited from reënrolling.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Verb
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In 2003, Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was raided by police.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, deputies raided the home and found eight people recovering from cosmetic surgery inside, along with two employees.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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After the Fever led by as many as 12 in the second half, the Liberty stormed back, capitalizing on Indiana turnovers to secure an 83-75 victory.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
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Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The two teams traded a run apiece in both the fifth and sixth frames before the Bats struck for four more in the seventh to seize control of the game, and eventually the victory.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
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Democrats followed with aggressive maps in Illinois, Maryland, and (until courts struck them down) New York.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Pounced (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pounced%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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