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attack

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attack are assail, assault, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When could assail be used to replace attack?

The words assail and attack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When might assault be a better fit than attack?

Although the words assault and attack have much in common, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would bombard be a good substitute for attack?

The synonyms bombard and attack are sometimes interchangeable, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When can storm be used instead of attack?

While the synonyms storm and attack are close in meaning, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

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 attack
Noun
The next year, several of them banded together to launch their own attack on the Ottoman empire. Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025 Buried in Trump’s barrage of attacks on immigrants and their loved ones is the alarming practice of family detention in Texas. Dolores K. Schroeder, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
According to Haynes, Lillard is motivated to attack his rehab and return to form. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 Ellie bypasses her real first kill and instead talks about the kid in Kansas City who attacked Joel. EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
  • Pakistan responded by aerial raids, downed an Indian military aircraft and captured an Indian pilot, who was later released.
    Time, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • One of the day laborers, who avoided being detained, spoke to ABC7 News about the traumatic effect of the raid.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) later ruled the fight a no contest after Garcia failed a drug test related to the bout.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Frequent bouts of rheumatic fever left the kid’s heart so weakened that one childhood doctor predicted a lifespan of 16 years.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Brittany Walker and Samuel Payton allegedly assaulted the victim, a 44-year-old man who uses a wheelchair, in a Detroit apartment on Jan. 29, FOX 2 Detroit reported.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • After speaking to witnesses and reviewing video surveillance, investigators found that three men allegedly assaulted the cab driver and stole his personal belongings after refusing to pay their fare, Podgorski said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, prosecutors allege that a drunk and angry Read knowingly slammed her SUV into her boyfriend -- Boston police officer John O'Keefe -- outside of a get-together at another officer's home and left him to die in a blizzard in January 2022.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The estate's lawsuit said Clyde Leach’s Tesla Model Y suddenly accelerated, went off the road and slammed into a pillar at an Ohio gas station.
    Mike Scarcella, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Her first recommendation when approached with the opportunity was the Lancôme Cils Booster XL.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 1 May 2025
  • As the sky darkened and duck calls filled the sky, their number appeared as a shadowed cloud approaching the rice fields.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The onslaught has been so extensive that the United States now has its highest average tariff rate in over a century − and more seem on the way.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • When two of the men turn and run, Tommy’s left with one other man to defend against the onslaught as the people on the rooftops fire into the street and the non-combatants cower inside.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The weapons cause respiratory seizures, vomiting, burning sensations and other debilitating symptoms.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Negative symptoms may include irritability, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, sleepiness, breathing problems, heart attacks, kidney failure and muscle damage, according to the CDC.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Bucks held a 118-111 lead with 40 seconds remaining in regulation, but the Pacers stormed back.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Musk stormed Washington by taking a battery ram to the federal government and becoming the administration's agenda-setter.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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