1
as in raids
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bouts
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in assaults
to take sudden, violent action against
our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abuses
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approaches
to start work on energetically
Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 attacks
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Terrorists expanded their use of the internet for a wide range of activities, including planning attacks, radicalization and recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and fundraising.
—Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Bosses aside, Silksong's platforming often requires players to bounce off of aerial enemies or objects using a series of mid-air downward attacks.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Thursday is a day of remembrance, advocacy, and service dedicated to honoring the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
—Ayisha Miracle Mendez, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The document revealed that Russia had launched two cyber attacks prior to the election, one against a company that sold software related to voter registration, and another against 122 local election officials.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
While Miami Gardens is a predominantly Black community, the fear of dogs and their vicious attacks persists nonetheless, and is likely an issue ongoing in other communities in South Florida and beyond.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
After Wednesday disables the machine with an axe, Isaac’s ability no longer works, and Thing attacks him.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Lately Rigel has seen big sales increases for a few of its drugs, notably Tavelisse, which combats a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own blood platelets.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system in which the body’s immune system attacks itself by mistake.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Russia has suggested modifications to the proposal that Ukraine has a security guarantee similar to a NATO Article Five collective defense clause, which would allow some Ukrainian allies to freely enter combat against a nation that attacks Ukraine in the future.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not recognize its own cells and attacks them.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Vitello said the agency tracks every time officers use force as well as any time someone attacks its officers.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Here, against Ipswich Town in October, Brentford’s centre-forward is marked by Cameron Burgess as Lewis-Potter dribbles inside the pitch and Vitaly Janelt attacks the space in midfield.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Democrats like Bell continue to defend Israel from progressive attacks.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Terrorists expanded their use of the internet for a wide range of activities, including planning attacks, radicalization and recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and fundraising.
—Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Bosses aside, Silksong's platforming often requires players to bounce off of aerial enemies or objects using a series of mid-air downward attacks.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Thursday is a day of remembrance, advocacy, and service dedicated to honoring the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
—Ayisha Miracle Mendez, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The document revealed that Russia had launched two cyber attacks prior to the election, one against a company that sold software related to voter registration, and another against 122 local election officials.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
While Miami Gardens is a predominantly Black community, the fear of dogs and their vicious attacks persists nonetheless, and is likely an issue ongoing in other communities in South Florida and beyond.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dennis tries to hug Roman, but Roman attacks him, punching him multiple times before leaving the hotel room.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
After Wednesday disables the machine with an axe, Isaac’s ability no longer works, and Thing attacks him.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Lately Rigel has seen big sales increases for a few of its drugs, notably Tavelisse, which combats a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own blood platelets.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system in which the body’s immune system attacks itself by mistake.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Russia has suggested modifications to the proposal that Ukraine has a security guarantee similar to a NATO Article Five collective defense clause, which would allow some Ukrainian allies to freely enter combat against a nation that attacks Ukraine in the future.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not recognize its own cells and attacks them.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Vitello said the agency tracks every time officers use force as well as any time someone attacks its officers.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Here, against Ipswich Town in October, Brentford’s centre-forward is marked by Cameron Burgess as Lewis-Potter dribbles inside the pitch and Vitaly Janelt attacks the space in midfield.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
Noun
-
Across the street is a police station, where federal agents gathered before immigration raids.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Durham City Council passed the resolution on Tuesday with a unanimous vote to shield city workers against raids and arrests carried out by federal officials, according to The Duke Chronicle.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nor does the Love Actually star plan a viewing, because Nighy, admitting to crippling bouts of screen fright, has long refused to view any of his performances, alone or alongside audiences.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Over his career, Inoue won and defended the WBO junior bantamweight title seven times before moving to bantamweight for nine bouts.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As Kiko approaches the islands, rain and wind remain a possibility.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As China’s Golden Week approaches at the start of October, demand for ocean cargo on the trans-Pacific trade lane is not projected to see a significant increase, according to a Thursday update from Flexport.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Investigators later confirmed his DNA matched evidence from that case and others, including attacks in Okemos, Michigan, in 1994; Birmingham, Michigan, in 1995; and Columbus, Ohio, in 1997, as well as two assaults in Ventura in the early 1980s.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In August, Russia’s aerial assaults on Ukraine slowed markedly, with 4,288 projectiles raining down on Ukrainian cities, an average of 138 per day.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then, uncontrolled, jerky movements develop as well as vision loss, dementia, and seizures.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
-
His father, Rob Sampson, added to CBS News that Logan has only had two seizures, but could be vulnerable without his medication.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Marcello steps in to guide her safely down the mountain, though their connection is quickly cut short when Emily storms off to confront Gabriel and end their relationship.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
With a face as crimson as her hair, Ellen storms directly into her brother Colum’s (Séamus McLean Ross) office, demanding answers.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The steep new parking surcharge slams the brakes on that, hitting both visitors and the workers who would have served them.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Except Steven gets in a car wreck in episode two of season three, and trauma slams Belly and Jeremiah back together.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share