ambush

American  

[am-boosh] / ˈæm bʊʃ /

noun

1. an act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise.

   The highwaymen waited in ambush near the road.

2. an act or instance of attacking unexpectedly from a concealed position.

3. the concealed position itself.

   They fired from ambush.

4. those who attack suddenly and unexpectedly from a concealed position.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attack from ambush.

ambush British  

/ ˈæmbʊʃ /

noun

1. the act of waiting in a concealed position in order to launch a surprise attack

2. a surprise attack from such a position

3. the concealed position from which such an attack is launched

4. the person or persons waiting to launch such an attack

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verb

1. to lie in wait (for)

2. (tr) to attack suddenly from a concealed position

Other Word Forms

• ambusher
  noun
• ambushlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ambush

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English enbuss ( h ) en < Middle French embuschier to place men in ambush, literally, to set in the woods, equivalent to em- im- ¹ + busch- (< Vulgar Latin *busca wood, forest < Germanic *busk- heavy stick) + -ier infinitive suffix; (noun) earlier enbusshe < Middle French embusche, derivative of the v.

Explanation

An ambush is a sneak attack. To ambush your enemy, hide and wait for him to come near and then pounce on him. In war or in backyards, an ambush is a great way to surprise someone. Ambush comes from a Latin word meaning “to place in a wood,” and hiding in the woods behind a tree is a classic starting point for an ambush. The actual attack is called an ambush, but ambush is also a verb, so you can ambush your mom by dropping water balloons on her head from a tree. Please don’t tell her where you got that idea.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the February 2, 2026, print edition as 'The Medicare Advantage Ambush'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

All of the Navy's Astute Class submarines bear a name beginning with the letter A: HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson are all in active service.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

Through June 25, Ambush will host a pop-up to celebrate the brand’s SS23 collection at Terminal 27 in West Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2023

Malcolm Mays’ three touchdown passes staked Hampton to a 24-17 lead through three quarters, but he also threw three interceptions, including a pick in the end zone in the final minute by Maine’s Austin Ambush.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2022

The Rebels wd not treat with us; they had abandon’d their Post of Ambush & could not be Found.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• assault
• surround
• trap
• waylay