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Definitions

attack

[uh-tak] / əˈtæk /
NOUN
physical assault
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggression barrage charge incursion intervention intrusion invasion offensive onslaught outbreak raid rape skirmish strike violation
STRONG
advance assailing blitz blitzkrieg defilement drive encounter encroachment foray initiative inroad irruption mugging offense onrush onset push rush storming thrust volley
WEAK
assailment dirty deed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
retreat
STRONG
pull
WEAK
aid defense flight health protection reprisal resistance shelter shield submission support surrender sustenance
NOUN
verbal assault
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse aggression criticism
STRONG
belligerence blame calumny censure combativeness denigration denunciation libel pugnacity slander vilification
WEAK
impugnment
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval praise
STRONG
commendation compliment
WEAK
aid defense flight health protection reprisal resistance retreat shelter shield submission support surrender sustenance
NOUN
sudden dysfunction or disorder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
failure seizure
STRONG
access ailment bout breakdown convulsion disease fit illness paroxysm relapse spasm spell stroke throe
Antonyms
STRONG
health
WEAK
aid defense flight protection reprisal resistance retreat shelter shield submission support surrender sustenance
VERB
assault physically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambush assail assault beat besiege blast bombard charge harm hit hurt infiltrate invade raid stab storm strike
STRONG
advance aggress bash bat bean beset biff boot bop brain bust clip clock club combat cook jump kick larrup molest mug overwhelm punch rush slog soak wallop whop
WEAK
boff chop down knock block off knock cold knock for a loop lay siege to light into pounce upon set upon take the offensive turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist guard help leave alone lose protect retreat surrender
STRONG
decrease
WEAK
be lazy defend resist shelter shield slough off submit support sustain withstand
VERB
assault verbally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse blame criticize shoot down
STRONG
berate blitz censure impugn malign refute reprove revile stretch vilify
WEAK
jump down one's throat jump on one's case lay into
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve commend compliment praise
STRONG
endorse sanction
WEAK
aid be lazy defend protect resist retreat shelter shield slough off submit support surrender sustain withstand
VERB
set to work
Synonyms
STRONG
tackle
WEAK
buckle down deal with dive into plunge into set to start in on take up tear into
Antonyms
WEAK
aid be lazy defend protect resist retreat shelter shield slough off submit support surrender sustain withstand

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.

While Blanche’s predecessors in the No. 2 spot kept lower profiles and managed the Justice Department’s day-to-day operations largely behind the scenes, he is often a vocal and visible attack dog.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

At the time, the Pentagon said that Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack U.S. military personnel and diplomats in the Middle East.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Rostov regional governor Yuri Slyusar said the attack in Taganrog had caused a fire to break out in the premises of a logistics company in the city.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Iran's military also said it downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot was rescued.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

“Yo, are you having, like, a heart attack or something?”

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.