attack
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.
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.
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.
to make an attack; begin hostilities.
the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.
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.
Origin of attack
1synonym study For attack
Other words for attack
Opposites for attack
Other words from attack
- 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
Words Nearby attack
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use attack in a sentence
We are learning so much this week — not only about a shameful attack on our very government, but the shamelessness of the people who made it inevitable.
I was skeptical of Democrats pursuing a second impeachment. I was wrong. | Karen Tumulty | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostIt seemed every time the Wizards mounted an attack, the Raptors responded with the same type of play — a far-too-easy three that bumped the score back into comfortable territory and sapped Washington’s energy at the same time.
The Wizards’ defense again lets them down in loss at home to Raptors | Ava Wallace | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostUnder pressure, Hogan launches effort to pay five exonerated prisoners Maryland exoneree suffers heart attack before testifying on compensation bill
Maryland moves toward clear plan for paying people who were wrongly convicted | Ovetta Wiggins | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostAs more and more processes and facilities gain remote and automated capabilities, this kind of attack becomes more of a concern.
Hackers accessed a Florida water treatment plant’s system and tried to make a dangerous change | Stan Horaczek | February 9, 2021 | Popular-ScienceRoy thinks it’s an attack on the right to note that a Republican member of Congress was one of hundreds of thousands of people with underlying conditions to die after contracting the virus.
What you’re saying when you say that covering the coronavirus is partisan | Philip Bump | February 9, 2021 | Washington Post
“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.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead | Luke O’Neil | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe comedian responded to the deadly attack on a French satirical magazine by renewing his recent criticisms of the Islamic faith.
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’ | Lloyd Grove | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was also an attack on our freedom of expression and way of life.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead | Luke O’Neil | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn their shelter, Brion and Ulv crouched low and wondered why the attack didn't come.
Sense of Obligation | Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThen the enemy's howitzers and field guns had it all their own way, forcing attack to yield a lot of ground.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonBut the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterUric acid is decreased before an attack of gout and increased afterward, but its etiologic relation is still uncertain.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for attack
/ (əˈtæk) /
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
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 attack ball 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
Origin of attack
1Derived forms of attack
- attackable, adjective
- attacker, noun
- attacking, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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