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at·tack

attack

 
 
pronunciation:
taek
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: attacks, attacking, attacked
definition 1: to begin to inflict harm upon.
The cat attacked the mouse.A young man was attacked by thugs in the park last night.The warriors attacked the fortress before dawn.
synonyms:
assail, assault, raid, storm
antonyms:
defend
similar words:
annex, bombard, molest, rip into, strike, waylay
definition 2: to use speech or writing to criticize or injure.
Members of the audience attacked the mayor's budget proposal.The critic attacked the novelist's portrayal of women.
synonyms:
censure, defame, denounce, disparage, pitch into, slander, vilify
antonyms:
praise
similar words:
abuse, annex, asperse, badmouth, belittle, blast, calumniate, denigrate, discredit, impugn, insult, lash, rip into, savage
definition 3: to set upon with vigor.
If we attack this problem with all our brainpower, I'm sure we can solve it.
synonyms:
pitch into, tackle
similar words:
assail, bombard, rip into, waylay
definition 4: to sexually molest or rape.
synonyms:
assault, molest, rape
similar words:
assail
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to make or begin an attack.
The soldiers attacked at dawn.
antonyms:
defend, retreat
similar words:
invade, strike
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: an act intended to cause harm or distress; offensive action.
The army carried out a surprise attack.
synonyms:
aggression, assault, charge, denunciation, offensive, onslaught
antonyms:
defense
similar words:
abuse, air raid, ambush, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, censure, defamation, incursion, invasion, offense, onset, put-down, raid, rape, strike, thrust, violence
definition 2: the onset of an illness or disease.
She suffered a severe attack of pneumonia.
synonyms:
fit, invasion, paroxysm
similar words:
bout, onset, seizure, spell, stroke
definition 3: the vigorous beginning of an action.
I had a sudden attack of sneezing in church.
synonyms:
onset, onslaught
similar words:
tack, violence
definition 4: a sexual assault; rape.
The brutal attack caused her lasting emotional damage.
synonyms:
assault, rape
similar words:
violence
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derivation: attacker (n.)
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See
  dinosaur, disease, injury, military, war