ATTACK Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

attack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of attack next

as in raid

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bout

a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attack

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtak

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to slam

to criticize harshly and usually publicly the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to approach

to start work on energetically Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Torelli plays Addy Frost, an exploration influencer who returns to the Devil’s Triangle 13 years after witnessing her father’s death in a shark attack. —

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025 How rare are attacks like these? School shootings are rare, but Sweden – long associated with high living standards and a strong social safety net – has seen a surge in violent crime in recent years, driven in part by gang warfare. —

Henrik Pettersson, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

Would Russia just use it to re-equip and attack again? —

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025 The Florida Panthers had been attacking the Chicago Blackhawks’ Petr Mrazek in waves early in the first period on Saturday, but nothing had gotten past the opposing goaltender. —

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack

Noun

While the focus of President Donald Trump's immigration policies has been on enforcement raids across the country and his executive orders, House Republicans have introduced at least six bills aimed at immigration reform.

— Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
In the end, the police raid a facility used as a base for the Slide organization.

— Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025