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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambush
Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024
In 2015, Congress established a national Blue Alert system through the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act, named after two New York City police officers who were killed in an ambush attack.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2024
Link and Howell entered the home through the back entrance and went through the living room and hallway when Link, who had his back turned, was ambushed by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who the sheriff said was armed and ready.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambush 
Noun
And the move isn’t an ambush: Ruth is told she’s visited and even approved these premises before.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024
In 2015, Congress established a national Blue Alert system through the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act, named after two New York City police officers who were killed in an ambush attack.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
When armed robbers ambush the guests — including crime bosses Frank Moten (Samuel L. Jackson) and Cadillac Richie (Terrence Howard) — a desperate Chicken Man turns to Detective JD Hudson (Don Cheadle) to clear his name.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2024
Link and Howell entered the home through the back entrance and went through the living room and hallway when Link, who had his back turned, was ambushed by Sulpizio's husband, Michael, who the sheriff said was armed and ready.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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Jackson showed little remorse for the victims of his violent attacks, which infuriated McManus.Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
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The lawsuit cited the 2020 presidential election, which resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on theU.S. Capitol, where supporters of Donald Trump sought to stop the certification of Joe Biden as president, alleging without proof the election was stolen.Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Then Billboard was cited when describing T.I.’s seminal 2003 Trap Muzik album as an introduction of trap music to the masses, but the contestants were stumped and couldn’t identify who the rapper-actor is despite a photo of him accompanying the clue.Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
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And that became the trap door, the explosive play that put the Bears in a 21-9 hole at the intermission.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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He was arrested in Savannah and is charged with felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and obstruction of law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.Phil Helsel, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
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According to reports, Buckshot was assaulted last Thursday (Oct. 31), in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The proliferation of snares is perhaps the most pressing threat to their survival.Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Props to whoever pitched the idea of performing in oversize bug costumes to Weezer, and props to the band for enthusiastically agreeing, because when that camera zooms in on drummer Patrick Wilson hitting a snare while dressed as a praying mantis?Marah Eakin, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024
Verb
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Making matters worse, the strike paused waylaid the majority of the plane models making up Boeing’s order backlog.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 24 Oct. 2024
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Rocky Horror is based on a horror template stretching at least back to 1932’s The Old Dark House: a couple of waylaid, straitlaced travelers end up taking shelter in a house full of freaks.Fran Tirado, Them, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
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But even the most devoted cat lovers might be surprised by the results of a new study.Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
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Watch on Hulu At Witt’s End On December 1, 1994, 19-year-old Melissa Witt drove to surprise her mother at a bowling alley in Fort Smith, Arkansas, but disappeared without a trace.Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In video captured by NBC News’ crew on the ground in Gaza, Palestinians could be seen gathered in a makeshift shelter in Khan Younis watching the election results roll in on a television screen.Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
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The District 26 seat has captured the attention of labor unions and corporations that have spent nearly $3.7 million on the race through Oct. 30.Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ambush
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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