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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.

Sri Lanka's police kennels department was mobilised to ensure that local street dogs did not attack Aloka, who was led on a leash held by an army commando.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Mexico's top prosecutor said Jasso Ramírez planned and carried out the attack alone.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Many pancreatic tumors also carry relatively few mutations overall, which makes them harder for the immune system to detect and attack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The attack occurred on April 20, which is both Hitler’s birthday and the anniversary of the Columbine school shooting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

“I haven’t had a panic attack in years. I’ve gotten way better at managing it all.”

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

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