attack dog
noun
1
: a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
2
: a person noted for harsh, personal, and usually public verbal attacks against others
a political attack dog
—usually hyphenated when used before another nounattack-dog tactics
Examples of attack dog in a Sentence
The charges against the candidate were made by one of the governor's attack dogs.
his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, Republicans recognized Vance's willingness to serve as Trump's attack dog against Harris and go toe-to-toe with adversaries.
—
Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024
Vance stepped out of his role as former President Trump's campaign trail attack dog.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024
The speech reflected his role in the campaign: an attack dog deployed most often to the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where the campaign believes its apostate of elite culture connects with the white working-class voters who may decide the election.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
Zelizer said both Walz and Vance will look to carry out their roles of attack dogs for their respective campaigns.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog 
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Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024
Vance stepped out of his role as former President Trump's campaign trail attack dog.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024
The speech reflected his role in the campaign: an attack dog deployed most often to the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where the campaign believes its apostate of elite culture connects with the white working-class voters who may decide the election.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
Zelizer said both Walz and Vance will look to carry out their roles of attack dogs for their respective campaigns.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog
Dictionary Entries Near attack dog
Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attack%20dog. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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