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 noun

attack-dog tactics

Synonyms

• mudslinger

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

Cats were more likely to attack dogs than vice versa. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Yes, this was a kindler, gentler Vance, not the rabid attack dog so visible on the campaign trail. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

By now, the rules, history, and alliances in the assassins’ club have grown almost dizzyingly complex, but Halle Berry and her attack dogs add a jolt of energy to the boys' club. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Alex Jennings is no longer quietly terrifying so much as an attack dog taken off his leash, and his is one of the best performances in the series. —Jack King, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

attack dog

noun

: a dog trained to attack upon receiving a command or upon seeing a certain object (as a person)