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
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
After a 40-bank robbing spree, the saga of South Florida’s most infamous gangsters ended with a midnight police ambush on a bridge over Sebastian Inlet that left Ashley and his cohorts dead.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Marina Watts, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
They are ambushed by a vengeful crew and forced into bomb vests, compelled to commit a series of increasingly dangerous missions under threat of detonation.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Noun
Hospital officials said the ambush killed around two dozen Pakistani soldiers and 16 to 35 Somalis, per The New York Times.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
After a 40-bank robbing spree, the saga of South Florida’s most infamous gangsters ended with a midnight police ambush on a bridge over Sebastian Inlet that left Ashley and his cohorts dead.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
The rapper was ambushed while taking a shower and the robbers sought cash along with expensive jewelry.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
They are ambushed by a vengeful crew and forced into bomb vests, compelled to commit a series of increasingly dangerous missions under threat of detonation.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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Although the direct hit damage from his Repulsor Blast is being decreased, the attack's spell field damage is being bolstered to make up for it.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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Grimes said that, in the experience of KnowBe4, social engineering is involved in 70% - 90% of all successful hacking attacks.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, a recent IRS Chief Counsel memorandum shows that these traps can also ensnare the IRS.—
Matthew Roberts,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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This is the trap Chelsea fell into last season when Arsenal’s Ben White ghosted behind five of their players and volleyed a shot into the far corner.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump has reportedly used denialism – about Joe Biden winning the 2020 election and that Jan. 6 entailed pro-Trump protesters violently assaulting police officers – to help vet appointees for senior national security and intelligence posts.—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article A Connecticut attorney has been convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of a man who reportedly assaulted him outside of his firm in Litchfield in June 2021.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Echoing the raw feelings of heartbreak, the album is stripped back, with sparse snares and cymbals in lieu of a full drumkit.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
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Bonham’s sister, Deborah, also provided the team with home movies from their childhood, which captured endearing footage of Baby Bonzo playing his first-ever drum kit with just a snare and cymbal.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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On the corporate front, the timing of the showdown has not been ideal for Paramount, whose pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media has been waylaid by complaints about CBS News by President Donald Trump.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The sell-down has surprised investors in Indonesia’s nickel industry which has grown rapidly from a 28% share of the global market for the metal to 63% over the last five years.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Moroney was surprised by her sudden inclusion in the conversation.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The wholesome video has captured the attention of more than 224,000 viewers.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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Clover’s striking photographs capture the lives of war-weary civilians as well as soldiers—sometimes in a playful light—while still depicting the ugly reality of war.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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