attacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of attack
1
as in assaults
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" after its oaken hull successfully withstood a British attack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bouts
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of attack
1
as in raids
to take sudden, violent action against our dog unexpectedly attacked the mailman, sinking his teeth into the startled man's leg

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2
as in slams
to criticize harshly and usually publicly the mayor and all his aides were attacked mercilessly in the press when the scandal erupted

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3
as in approaches
to start work on energetically Courtney attacked the huge mess in her room with determination and enthusiasm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attacks
Noun
In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Russia set new wartime records for both the scale and pace of its missile attacks on Ukraine in July, according to data released by the Ukrainian Air Force. — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Ukraine’s attacks inside Russia come as its own civilians faced deadly Russian bombardment throughout the summer. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026 However, those shipments are now facing growing risks from Houthi attacks. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 And the United States has aided Israel throughout the war in Gaza following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026 At least 12 attacks have been recorded against health facilities and teams since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Israeli intelligence believes Iran moved part of its enriched uranium stockpile to Pickaxe Mountain after last June’s attacks, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN. — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Verb
She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records. — Chase Jordan july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026 The filmmaker has previously spoken about having myositis — a disease where the immune system attacks the muscles — which has significantly affected his mobility. — Rino Lu, IndieWire, 28 July 2026 Russia regularly attacks Ukrainian logistics and retail facilities, including several that were hit last week. — Dasha Litvinova, Fortune, 24 July 2026 After the match, David Finlay attacks White before the rest of the Bang Bang Gang runs down to make the save. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Lawsuit attacks diversity efforts The lawsuit comes amid a broader crackdown on diversity initiatives nationwide as conservatives argue similar programs treat white people unfairly. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 Those exports have acted as a crucial relief valve for global oil markets as Iran attacks tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 July 2026 That’s because when a snake bites and punctures the skin and transfers venom into the victim’s body, the venom attacks the skin, soft tissue and connective tissue beneath it. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Israeli defense officials warned Sunday that the country will hit back strongly if Iran attacks Israel. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attacks
  1. assaults
  2. bouts
  3. raids
  4. slams
  5. approaches
  6. offensives
  7. seizures
  8. storms
Noun
  • The lawsuit claims the store manager took videos of the assaults and ordered employees to participate in the assaults and record their own videos.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
  • Russia will likely continue using a limited number of mechanized assaults while relying primarily on small-unit infiltrations.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of assaults
Noun
  • The creator of vivid, indelible fantasies for women to try on and to embody was also a fragile and anguished man, troubled throughout his life by alcohol, drug dependency, and bouts of debilitating depression.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The event, featuring 14 bouts, kicks off with an early start, streaming exclusively on Paramount+.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bouts
Verb
  • In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
  • In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Definition of raids
Verb
  • This is happening as a demographic shift to an older, grayer population slams Colorado.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Taylor Sheridan slams critics Sheridan's series are all hits with regular people, but he's routinely been a target for critics.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of slams
Verb
  • As the Mooton host approaches in the forest, the sounds of a war drum fill the air, like a resounding heartbeat.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Braves have secured consecutive home wins and maintained their strong position atop the National League East as the trade deadline approaches Monday.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of approaches
Noun
  • However, Iran analysts are highly skeptical that Tehran will prove capable of launching any such large-scale ground offensives any time soon.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Israel’s ongoing offensives have become a wedge issue for Jewish and non-Jewish Americans, leading to protests and raising antisemitism fears and questions about America’s close ties to Israel.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of offensives
Noun
  • In the absence of timely intervention, preeclampsia symptoms can rapidly escalate, with brain hemorrhages, cardiac events, organ damage and seizures.
    — Carina Heckert, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • Blackouts and seizures, tremors that became full-body shakes, stabbing chest pains.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of seizures
Verb
  • Mars storms the Official Streaming chart with five titles, while one of his most successful collaborations becomes a bestseller again on multiple rosters.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Although significant, that event was far less powerful than the Carrington Event — or the even rarer storms the new study suggests may be possible.
    — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of storms

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Cite this Entry

“Attacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attacks. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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