attack

[ uh-tak ]

verb (used with object)

1. to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with:

   He attacked him with his bare hands.

   Synonyms: charge, storm

   Antonyms: defend

2. to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against:

   to attack the enemy.

3. to blame or abuse violently or bitterly.
4. to direct unfavorable criticism against; criticize severely; argue with strongly:

   He attacked his opponent's statement.

   Synonyms: abuse, oppugn, impugn, censure

   Antonyms: defend

5. to try to destroy, especially with verbal abuse:

   to attack the mayor's reputation.

6. to set about (a task) or go to work on (a thing) vigorously:

   to attack housecleaning;

   to attack the hamburger hungrily.

7. (of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect.

verb (used without object)

1. to make an attack; begin hostilities.

noun

1. the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.

   Synonyms: encounter, onset

   Antonyms: defense

2. a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position.
3. Pathology. seizure by disease or illness:

   an attack of indigestion.

4. the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
5. an aggressive move in a performance or contest.
6. the approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase.

attack

/ əˈtæk /

verb

1. to launch a physical assault (against) with or without weapons; begin hostilities (with)
2. intr to take the initiative in a game, sport, etc

   after a few minutes, the team began to attack

3. tr to direct hostile words or writings at; criticize or abuse vehemently
4. tr to turn one's mind or energies vigorously to (a job, problem, etc)
5. tr to begin to injure or affect adversely; corrode, corrupt, or infect

   rust attacked the metal

6. tr to attempt to rape

noun

1. the act or an instance of attacking
2. strong criticism or abuse

   an unjustified attack on someone's reputation

3. an offensive move in a game, sport, etc
4. commencement of a task, etc
5. any sudden and usually severe manifestation of a disease or disorder

   an attack of indigestion

   a heart attack

6. the attack
   the attack ball games the players in a team whose main role is to attack the opponents' goal or territory
7. music decisiveness in beginning a passage, movement, or piece
8. music the speed with which a note reaches its maximum volume
9. an attempted rape

Derived Forms

• atˈtackable, adjective
• atˈtacking, adjective
• atˈtacker, noun

Other Words From

• at·tacka·ble adjective
• at·tacker noun
• nonat·tacking adjective
• postat·tack adjective
• proat·tack adjective
• reat·tack verb
• unat·tacka·ble adjective
• unat·tacked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attack¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier atta(c)que, from Middle French atta(c)quer, from Italian attaccare “to attack”; attach

Word History and Origins

Origin of attack¹

C16: from French attaquer, from Old Italian attaccare to attack, attach, from estaccare to attach, from stacca stake ¹; compare attach

Synonym Study

Attack, assail, assault, molest all mean to set upon someone forcibly, with hostile or violent intent. Attack is the most general word and applies to a beginning of hostilities, especially those definitely planned: to attack from ambush. Assail implies vehement, sudden, and sometimes repeated attack: to assail with weapons or with gossip. Assault almost always implies bodily violence: to assault with intent to kill. To molest is to harass, to threaten, or to assault: He was safe, and where no one could molest him.

Example Sentences

“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.

From The Daily Beast

As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.

From The Daily Beast

It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.

From The Daily Beast

The comedian responded to the deadly attack on a French satirical magazine by renewing his recent criticisms of the Islamic faith.

From The Daily Beast

It was also an attack on our freedom of expression and way of life.

From The Daily Beast

In their shelter, Brion and Ulv crouched low and wondered why the attack didn't come.

From Project Gutenberg

On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the enemy's howitzers and field guns had it all their own way, forcing attack to yield a lot of ground.

From Project Gutenberg

But the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.

From Project Gutenberg

Uric acid is decreased before an attack of gout and increased afterward, but its etiologic relation is still uncertain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aggression
• barrage
• charge
• incursion
• intervention
• intrusion
• invasion
• offensive
• onslaught
• outbreak
• raid
• rape
• skirmish
• strike
• violation