Synonyms of bombard

bombard

verb

bäm-ˈbärd 

1

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

• bomb
• attack
• shell
• batter
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• ravage
• cannonade
• assault
• assail
• hit
• strafe
• pound
• rake
• devastate
• enfilade
• strike

2

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

• barrage
• flood
• bomb
• interrogate
• question
• examine
• harass
• inundate
• annoy
• pester
• pump
• quiz
• grill
• query
• cross-examine
• debrief
• hound
• catechize

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bombard

Some even tried to stop their journey by bombarding panda experts, officials and government agencies with angry phone calls. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025

Join 5 others in the comments View Comments The most highly energetic particles in the universe, cosmic rays bombard Earth from space. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025

Image After Hamas’s 2023 attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 others abducted to Gaza, Israel had bombarded the territory, aiming to decimate the militants. —Lara Jakes, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025

The argument has been made that elections in March allows Miramar Voters to decide which candidates to support without being bombarded with direct mail pieces, phone calls, radio and TV commercials from County, State and Federal Candidates. —Avril K. Cherasard, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025

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