1
as in attack
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
revolutionaries laid in ambush for the king along the route his carriage would travel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
thinking that he was getting into his assigned limousine, the diplomat did not realize that he was the victim of an ambush as he was being lured into his captor's car
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to attack
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise
the king's enemies planned to ambush the royal coach on the way to Paris and capture the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambush
Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
The harsh band meeting – set up with Hoffs, Steele, managers and press agents – that cemented their demise is painstakingly recollected in the book as more of an ambush of the Petersons.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
In a separate incident on Saturday, insurgents ambushed security forces in the northwestern Kurram district of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, local police said.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
Sudden carnage The scale of the violence is clear in the predominantly Alawite villages near Syria’s Mediterranean coast, linked by winding roads that are ideal for ambushes.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
The harsh band meeting – set up with Hoffs, Steele, managers and press agents – that cemented their demise is painstakingly recollected in the book as more of an ambush of the Petersons.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Mahdi ambushed Orangeburg public safety officer James Myers at the officer's shed in Calhoun County in July 2004.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
In a separate incident on Saturday, insurgents ambushed security forces in the northwestern Kurram district of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, local police said.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The attack on Ras Isa Fuel Port marked a widening of the U.S. bombing campaign, which had previously targeted Houthi forces and their command centers elsewhere in Yemen.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But the Knicks can’t fall for the trap, and Brunson, who finished with 34 points on 12-of-27 shooting from the field to go with eight assists on the night, had a frustrating start to his evening.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
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Europe is wary of sleepwalking back into the trap of reliance on Russian energy resources that caused an energy crisis at the outset of the 2022 invasion and mounting speculation that Europe might reopen its taps has sparked pushback from key European voices.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Uber has said the driver gave them a different version of events, saying the driver claimed the two riders fought in the back of his car and assaulted him at the end of the trip.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Apr. 2025
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Warhorse bandmates drummer Tre Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt assaulted their instruments with their trademark goofiness and aggression, with three other touring members helping fill the massive venue with a legion of guitars and keys.—
Jeff Miller,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The movie’s pivot to vampires is a supernatural vision of the real-life snares set for great Black musicians.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
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Hungry Lion Records grants him the space to do so with an almost-morose mixture of trap snares and synths that invites listeners to focus on his soul-baring lyrics.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Without the mesh, the moisture evaporates in the dry air as the temperature rises each day, but with it, the fog would be only temporarily waylaid– providing valuable fresh water to people, before it’s treated and cycled back into the ocean.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
20 Feb. 2025
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In late November, Israeli forces opened fire on looters waiting to waylay trucks in Rafah, forcing them to retreat, according to an internal U.N. memo.—
Adam Rasgon,
New York Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Vogue: What has surprised you most about your parenting journey?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
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There were no big Heat rotation surprises to begin the postseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What to know about Blue Origin after celebrity spaceflight NASA's Perseverance rover captures 'fiendish' dueling dust devils on Mars: See video What causes the Lyrid meteors?—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The estate captures the spirit of Alentejo—its slow pace, natural beauty, and rich traditions—while offering guests a gateway to explore the region through immersive on-site experiences and easy access to local attractions.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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