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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When the newlyweds arrive home, they are attacked by Naz and his henchman (played by Matt Willig).—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026 -
On Friday, April 24, cattle breeder Santiago Barrero San Román was attacked by the bull at the San Marcos Festival in the remote southern Spanish town of Beas de Segura, according to El País, ABC and La Razón.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The English wrestler gave Lee a hug in the middle of the ring, but assaulted her.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Karzoun was assaulted near a shopping area on North Eagleville Road in the early morning hours after the large party was broken up at Carriage House by Connecticut State Police and the UConn Police Department.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film subsequently triggered an investigation into the nature of the relationship between Michael and Arvizo, and, in November 2003, more than 40 police officers raided Neverland Ranch, per The Guardian.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Earlier this month, police raided the offices of Novaya Gazeta, the independent newspaper whose co-founder won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mentalist was perhaps moments away from climbing inside the mind of the president on Saturday night when a 31-year-old teacher from Los Angeles stormed toward the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with two guns and fired at law enforcement.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
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Police said the suspect had a shotgun, a handgun and knives, and stormed the lobby, running past security barricades as Secret Service agents raced toward him.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eberechi Eze hit the post moments later after some dazzling footwork, before Erling Haaland struck the decisive goal for City five minutes later.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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He was struck by the team’s new facilities and the leadership in the organization.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 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 Apr. 2026.
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