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

Examples 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

Target and other businesses faced similar attacks for their LGBTQ+ marketing, in some cases doing real damage to their profits. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 His parents learned that he was considered missing in action on Dec. 7, 1943, two years after the Pearl Harbor attack. —

Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Dec. 2024

Verb

The 60-day truce halts 14 months of fighting since Hezbollah began attacking Israel following Hamas’s attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. —

Tara Suter, The Hill, 28 Nov. 2024 Emergency dispatchers were told that a woman, later identified as the victim's mother Kelsey Michelle Glover, had drowned Giselle and attacked the caller with knives and a hammer, per the statement. —

Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack

Noun

Adding to her woes was an FBI raid on her home this past summer.

Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Nov. 2024
Minutes later, an Iskander ballistic missile streaked down—and exploded directly over the shelter, likely destroying the MiG. The raid was ominously reminiscent of the attacks this summer.

David Axe, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024