attack 1 of 2

attack

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

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
While the attack took place at a Jewish institution, one of the victims, Lischinsky, was not Jewish. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025 Earlier in her career, Russo was a first responder during the 9/11 terror attacks at the World Trade Center, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a national trade union for public workers. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Verb
What Did House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies Say About The Bill? House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also issued a statement attacking the GOP for the passing the bill. Molly Bohannon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Fulton testified the victim grew aggressive and attacked him. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for attack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack
Noun
  • On Saturday, an employee at one of Smith’s restaurants shared insight into how operations have changed since the increase in raids.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, there’s been a stronger focus on enforcement in the country’s interior, including workplace raids.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The details surrounding Eisenhower’s immediate treatment remain a mystery, though Newton suggests that may have had more do with protecting his personal physician, who misdiagnosed the heart attack as a bout of indigestion, than a purposeful attempt to mislead the public.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
  • The tech sector, which saw a meteoric rise in recent years, has been subject to bouts of volatility this year.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Super Bowl winner Ray Rice and Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt both assaulted women in the past, as well.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
  • In the process we were assaulted and responded in kind.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • As the wide-ranging conversation was approaching its end, Wood seized the opportunity to offer a long-overdue apology to Handler.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2025
  • When Arielle was once at a company event with Justin, someone approached her for an introduction to him, and couldn’t contain their excitement.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • The offensive onslaught started with seven runs through two innings, and the Bearcats put the game out of reach by adding seven runs in the fifth inning.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025
  • The Cruel World onslaught on the Bay Area keeps right on rolling along, with so many acts playing the big ’80s music festival in Pasadena also performing dates up north.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • This can lead to unwanted complications, such as muscle cramps or seizures.
    Health, Health, 28 May 2025
  • It’s been a bumper seven days for law enforcement working on cyber and dark web investigations, who have accomplished a slew of takedowns, arrests and seizures across the world.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Opening day attendees who didn't storm the Ministry, however, were treated to shockingly short wait times, park-goers reported.
    Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • In the second round of the playoffs, against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics, the script was flipped: the Knicks got down by huge margins in the first two games but came storming back for the victory in both, creating a 2–0 edge.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!