attack
verb (used with object)
to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with.
were attacking
-
past progressiveof attack.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The roof of the apartment complex collapsed while the firefighters were attacking the blaze, forcing them to retreat and eventually hit the fire from overhead using ladder trucks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Both sides were attacking with abandon in a very open first half and it was remarkable they went in goalless at the break.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026
For Antoine Semenyo's second goal, both Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson were attacking in the opposition's box so were unable to get back to defend the counter-attack when the ball was lost.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025
When he was on the Buckley show and defending what it meant to be a Beat from Buckley and other people who were attacking counterculture, he said it was a movement of tenderness.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2025
They were attacking everything— iguanas, birds, other mockingbirds, and Frightful herself.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
