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attack
[ uh-tak ]
verb (used with object)
- 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.
Antonyms: defend
- to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against:
to attack the enemy.
- to blame or abuse violently or bitterly.
- to direct unfavorable criticism against; criticize severely; argue with strongly:
He attacked his opponent's statement.
Synonyms: abuse, oppugn, impugn, censure
Antonyms: defend
- to try to destroy, especially with verbal abuse:
to attack the mayor's reputation.
- to set about (a task) or go to work on (a thing) vigorously:
to attack housecleaning;
to attack the hamburger hungrily.
- (of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect.
verb (used without object)
- to make an attack; begin hostilities.
noun
- the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.
Antonyms: defense
- a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position.
- Pathology. seizure by disease or illness:
an attack of indigestion.
- the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
- an aggressive move in a performance or contest.
- the approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase.
attack
/ əˈtæk /
verb
- to launch a physical assault (against) with or without weapons; begin hostilities (with)
- intr to take the initiative in a game, sport, etc
after a few minutes, the team began to attack
- tr to direct hostile words or writings at; criticize or abuse vehemently
- tr to turn one's mind or energies vigorously to (a job, problem, etc)
- tr to begin to injure or affect adversely; corrode, corrupt, or infect
rust attacked the metal
- tr to attempt to rape
noun
- the act or an instance of attacking
- strong criticism or abuse
an unjustified attack on someone's reputation
- an offensive move in a game, sport, etc
- commencement of a task, etc
- any sudden and usually severe manifestation of a disease or disorder
a heart attack
an attack of indigestion
- the attackball games the players in a team whose main role is to attack the opponents' goal or territory
- music decisiveness in beginning a passage, movement, or piece
- music the speed with which a note reaches its maximum volume
- an attempted rape
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Derived Forms
- atˈtacker, noun
- atˈtacking, adjective
- atˈtackable, adjective
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Other Words From
- at·tacka·ble adjective
- at·tacker noun
- nonat·tacking adjective
- postat·tack adjective
- proat·tack adjective
- reat·tack verb
- unat·tacka·ble adjective
- unat·tacked adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of attack1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.
It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.
The comedian responded to the deadly attack on a French satirical magazine by renewing his recent criticisms of the Islamic faith.
It was also an attack on our freedom of expression and way of life.
In their shelter, Brion and Ulv crouched low and wondered why the attack didn't come.
On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.
Then the enemy's howitzers and field guns had it all their own way, forcing attack to yield a lot of ground.
But the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.
Uric acid is decreased before an attack of gout and increased afterward, but its etiologic relation is still uncertain.
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