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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In a message Monday on X, Sánchez said that so far there were no signs indicating that the plane was attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026 -
In the early 1980s, in the full flush of revolutionary ardor and against an age-old enemy who had attacked them without provocation, the Iranian people and armed forces fought and suffered for their country.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Workers and passengers on the Chicago Transit Authority have been assaulted at rates at least double those of comparable public transit systems around the country, according to a Tribune analysis of federal data.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Multiple women told The New York Times that Mexican American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez assaulted them decades ago, including when some were just girls, one as young as 13.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2020, the nest was raided by an unpaired male, and only three of seven chicks survived.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Swayman got plenty busy at the start of the second when the Wild stormed the B’s zone.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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The margin grew to 45-21 early in the second quarter before the Clippers stormed back for their fourth straight victory, giving Coach Tyronn Lue the 400th win of his career.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Journalists heard several explosions from the direction of the Hezbollah stronghold, which Israel has repeatedly struck since war began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Aaron thought about writing an op-ed or speaking at a rally, but such gestures struck him as painfully insufficient.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 2026.
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