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.

Their resort to military force—following thousands of drone and missile attacks by Iran—shows the difficulty of returning to the previous status quo.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Al-Saadi's exact role is unclear, beyond allegations that he posted propaganda videos of the attacks on social media after they happened.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Maj Jowett led a unit of soldiers who defended a compound in the town of Musa Qala, a Taliban stronghold in Helmand province, from waves of attacks in 2006.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

There have been no reports of attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, but shipping companies prefer the safety of the South Africa route, Teodoro said.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

“But in light of these new attacks, he’s allocating more time to his direct duties with the Sons of the Six. Brother Lekan has been appointed to lead the service in Father Olufemi’s stead.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray