Showing Results for "attacks"

attacks

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 blister 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.

Attacks on shipping near the Horn of Africa—made famous by the film “Captain Phillips,” about the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama—peaked in 2011, with 237 reported attacks.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the attack was "utterly appalling", adding: "Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain."

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Attacks on pipelines and other energy infrastructure have also hobbled crude markets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

Attacks are likely to get worse before they get better, as dogs bought before the ban reach maturity, the police tactical lead for dangerous dogs in England and Wales told us.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The book to which I refer is Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, by a Canadian academic named Stephen Herrero.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson