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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attack dog
Some took it as a sign that Trump might rein in his attack dog.
—
Simon Shuster, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
Fleas typically attack dogs and cats, but humans can also get bites.
—Laura Schober, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
The former congressman has often been an attack dog for Trump in going after critics.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024
Cats were more likely to attack dogs than vice versa.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
Simon Shuster, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
Fleas typically attack dogs and cats, but humans can also get bites.
—Laura Schober, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
The former congressman has often been an attack dog for Trump in going after critics.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024
Cats were more likely to attack dogs than vice versa.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for attack dog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attack dog
Noun
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As the massive marine animals close in on Florida’s spring break destinations, experts stress that shark attacks are tracking much lower than average across the world.—
Julia Bonavita,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
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There are three male sharks in Shark Valley named Murdoch, Trio and Napoleon, and any of them could be Archie’s father, the aquarium said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Alec Baldwin’s psycho hit man also chooses her to intimidate into getting the jury to acquit.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
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Based on an almost-too-wild-to-believe true story, Hit Man follows Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), a mild-mannered professor moonlighting as a fake hit man for the FBI.—
Janey Tracey,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, there have been mass firings at the FBI, reportedly instigated by Trump hatchet man Kash Patel, who awaits Senate confirmation to head the FBI.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attack%20dog. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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