blitz

[ blits ]

noun

1. Military.
   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.
   2. an intensive aerial bombing.
2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat:

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football. act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.
4. bingo.

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz:

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish:

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Football. to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.
2. to move in the manner of a blitz:

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz

¹

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment
2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   a drink-driving blitz

   an advertising blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

verb

1. tr to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz

²

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the Blitz
   the Blitz the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

Other Words From

• blitzer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blitz¹

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Word History and Origins

Origin of blitz¹

C20: shortened from German Blitzkrieg lightning war

Example Sentences

The application arrives as public health experts gird for a blitz of coronavirus cases seeded by holiday travels and gatherings — a surge coming so soon that no vaccine can blunt it.

From Washington Post

Washington’s defense gave its offense one more chance after a third-down sack by rookie safety Kam Curl on a blitz.

From Washington Post

Technology platforms have released a blitz of new rules to curb misinformation after mounting momentum for movements such as QAnon.

From Fortune

Epic has engaged in a full-scale, pre-planned media blitz surrounding its decision to breach its agreement with Apple, creating ad campaigns around the effort that continue to this day.

From Fortune

The center snapped the ball and the Bulldogs sent a blitz, rushing Tagovailoa with two extra players, forcing him to throw the ball out of bounds.

From TruthBeTold.news

It reminds me of an uncle of mine who said the London Blitz was irritating.

From The Daily Beast

That fall, soon after the German blitz on London began, Kennedy headed back to the U.S.

From The Daily Beast

I collected bits of them, but my blitz was safely vicarious.

From The Daily Beast

Now the time for the bombing blitz and commando raids appears to be approaching.

From The Daily Beast

In one ad blitz, former employees at a closed steel mill call Romney and Bain job destroyers and economic vampires.

From The Daily Beast

Dollmann introduced us, calling him Commander von Brning, in command of the torpedo gunboat Blitz.

From Project Gutenberg

His news was that the Blitz's steam-cutter had come in on the morning tide, and he had met von Brning when marketing at the inn.

From Project Gutenberg

The hull of the Blitz loomed up, and a minute later our kedge was splashing overboard and the launch was backing alongside.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I understood—only men-of-war sound bugles—the Blitz was here then; and very natural, too, I thought, and strode on.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall be going back to the Blitz on the evening tide, but you'll be busy then with your own boat.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assault
• bombardment
• bombing
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• shelling