Attack
/əˈtæk/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo assault violently.
/əˈtæk/
To make a violent assault on.
The dog attacked the mailman.
💡 Simply: To hit or fight someone or something.
More Examples
The army attacked the city.
How It's Used
"The soldiers attacked the enemy position at dawn."
"The boxer attacked with a flurry of punches."
A violent or sudden aggression.
/ˈætæk/
A violent assault.
There was a sudden attack on the village.
💡 Simply: A sudden, forceful act of violence.
More Examples
The attack left many injured.
How It's Used
"The city experienced a brutal terrorist attack."
"The patient suffered a heart attack."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
attack someone's character
To criticize someone's moral qualities or reputation.
"He attacked her character in the newspaper."
From Old French *ataker, from Vulgar Latin *attaccare, from Latin ad- "to" + *tangere "to touch".
The word 'attack' has been used in military contexts for centuries, with its usage expanding to cover various forms of aggression over time.
Memory tip
Imagine a forceful 'tack' – an attack is a forceful action.
Word Origin
"to touch"