Thesaurus results for BOMBARD

Q: How does the verb 'bombard' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bombard are assail , assault , attack , and storm . While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells. // bombarded the city nightly

Q: When is 'assail' a more appropriate choice than 'bombard'?

While the synonyms assail and bombard are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots. // assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Q: When could 'assault' be used to replace 'bombard'?

While in some cases nearly identical to bombard , assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught. // commandos assaulted the building from all sides

Q: When might 'attack' be a better fit than 'bombard'?

The words attack and bombard can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. // plan to attack the town at dawn

Q: When can 'storm' be used instead of 'bombard'?

The meanings of storm and bombard largely overlap; however, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position. // preparing to storm the fortress

bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd

Definition of bombard next

as in to bomb

to use bombs or artillery against the Allies bombarded Germany for a great many months during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to barrage

to attack with a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once reporters bombarded the company spokesman with sharp questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bombard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bombard are assail, assault, attack, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is assail a more appropriate choice than bombard?

While the synonyms assail and bombard are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When could assault be used to replace bombard?

While in some cases nearly identical to bombard, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When might attack be a better fit than bombard?

The words attack and bombard can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can storm be used instead of bombard?

The meanings of storm and bombard largely overlap; however, storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Examples 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 bombard Archbishop Williams bombarded Karo in a 10-1 shot advantage in the game’s first eight minutes. —

Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2024 My sick friend took great offense to this un-invitation and bombarded me with nasty texts and insults. —

Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024 The morning after Election Day, Kimmy Hull woke up to find that her inbox had been bombarded overnight. —

Odette Yousef, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024 Israel has bombarded Yemen several times in response — sending its jets more than 1,000 miles to do so — but has struggled to decisively subdue the Houthis. —

Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bombard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombard

Verb

For example, the Israeli military bombed the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius—Gaza's oldest church, consecrated in 1150—in October 2023.

— Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Meaning Israel is even allowed to bomb Iran directly, something that American Presidents have consistently refused to green-light.

— Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025