raid

[reyd]

noun

1. a sudden assault or attack, as upon something to be seized or suppressed.

   a police raid on a gambling ring.

   Synonyms: seizure

2. Military.,  a sudden attack on the enemy, as by air or by a small land force.

   Synonyms: inroad, invasion, incursion

3. a vigorous, large-scale effort to lure away a competitor's employees, members, etc.

4. Finance.,  a concerted attempt of speculators to force stock prices down.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a raid on.

2. to steal from; loot.

   a worry that the investment fund is being raided.

3. to entice away from another.

   Large companies are raiding key personnel from smaller companies.

4. to indulge oneself by taking from, especially in order to eat.

   raiding the cookie jar.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in a raid.

raid

/ reɪd /

noun

1. a sudden surprise attack

   an air raid

2. a surprise visit by police searching for criminals or illicit goods

   a fraud-squad raid

3. See also bear raid dawn raid

verb

1. to make a raid against (a person, thing, etc)

2. to sneak into (a place) in order to take something, steal, etc

   raiding the larder

Other Word Forms

• counterraid noun
• unraided adjective
• raider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of raid¹

1375–1425; Middle English (north and Scots ) ra ( i ) de, Old English rād expedition, literally, a riding; doublet of road

Word History and Origins

Origin of raid¹

C15: Scottish dialect, from Old English rād military expedition; see _road

Example Sentences

The raid was part of a monthslong campaign aimed at militants Israel says are operating in cities across the northern West Bank.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yermak, 54, was named Ukraine's top negotiator in talks with Washington to refine that proposal, and analysts said the raids could hurt Kyiv's position.

Read more on Barron's

Law enforcement raided a property in the state overnight and confiscated numerous electronic devices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Taiwanese prosecutors said Thursday that authorities raided Lo’s residences in Taiwan and seized evidence including at least one computer as part of an investigation into whether Lo improperly transferred technology related to national security.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over the summer, several raids in the neighborhood sparked protests.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assault 
• blockade 
• bomb 
• bombard 
• harass 
• invade 
• loot 
• overrun 
• plunder 
• ransack 
• rob 
• storm 
• strafe 
• swoop