as in shark
one who makes harsh, personal attacks against opponents
his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dog
Cats were more likely to attack dogs than vice versa.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Yes, this was a kindler, gentler Vance, not the rabid attack dog so visible on the campaign trail.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
By now, the rules, history, and alliances in the assassins’ club have grown almost dizzyingly complex, but Halle Berry and her attack dogs add a jolt of energy to the boys' club.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Alex Jennings is no longer quietly terrifying so much as an attack dog taken off his leash, and his is one of the best performances in the series.
—Jack King, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog 
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Yes, this was a kindler, gentler Vance, not the rabid attack dog so visible on the campaign trail.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
By now, the rules, history, and alliances in the assassins’ club have grown almost dizzyingly complex, but Halle Berry and her attack dogs add a jolt of energy to the boys' club.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Alex Jennings is no longer quietly terrifying so much as an attack dog taken off his leash, and his is one of the best performances in the series.
—Jack King, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack dog
Noun
-
As sharks generally share the same core set of olfactory receptors across different species—regardless of their different habitats and lifestyles—the natural deterrent has the potential to work across the majority of shark species.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
According to the outlet, a ping means the Smart Position and Temperature Transmitting (SPOT) tag attached to the shark’s dorsal fin remained above water for a brief period as the animal swam, transmitting a near-live location signal to the OCEARCH shark tracker.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Social media platforms were a critical battleground during the campaign, with political mudslingers waging cyberwar with few legal constraints after the government failed to act on calls for a new law to protect democracy in the internet age.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
12 Dec. 2019
-
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.—
Gabriel Debenedetti,
Daily Intelligencer,
20 May 2018
Noun
-
Today there are two main types of lobbyists in Springfield: those who work exclusively for a single corporation or interest group — the state’s manufacturers or retailers, for instance — and those who contract with a variety of clients, essentially hired guns for anyone willing to pay.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Nov. 2024
-
Every four years, ambitious consultants and hired guns sit down with aspiring presidents and sell them a lie.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 Aug. 2023
Noun
-
The estranged husband of Brent Sikkema, an art dealer who was found stabbed to death in Brazil last year, has been charged with hiring a hit man.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The script does make occasional stabs at something offbeat, with haphazard cutaways to a romantic subplot in which Marvin’s depressed assistant, Ashley (Lio Tipton), falls for Raven (Mustafa Shakir), an enormous, poetry-writing hit man.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Back home, more pink slips for federal employees go out and the scrutiny of Elon Musk's role as the hatchet man for those agencies intensifies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Musician and producer Grimes made a rare comment involving her ex-partner and father to her three kids, Elon Musk, after their 4-year-old son appeared alongside the tech mogul turned government hatchet man at the White House on Wednesday.—
Kevin Dolak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near attack dog
Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack%20dog. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share