Attacked

/əˈtækt/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To assault or make a violent attempt to overcome or defeat.

/əˈtækt/

verbnegativeBeginner
Action

To make a violent assault on.

The soldiers attacked the enemy fort.

💡 Simply: To hurt or fight someone or something.

More Examples

2

The dog attacked the stranger.

How It's Used

Military

"The enemy attacked the city at dawn."

Sports

"The boxer attacked his opponent with a flurry of punches."

2

To criticize severely.

/əˈtækt/

verbnegativeIntermediate
Verbal Action

To criticize harshly.

The reporter attacked the mayor's corruption.

💡 Simply: To strongly criticize someone or something.

More Examples

2

He viciously attacked her character.

How It's Used

Political Debate

"The candidate attacked his opponent's policies."

Tip:Think of a verbal assault.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

From Old French *attaquer, from attacher "to attach, fasten," ultimately from Latin ad- "to" + tactare "to touch, handle."

The word 'attack' has maintained a consistently negative connotation throughout its history, often referencing physical violence or aggressive actions.

Memory tip

Think of a dog attacking a mailman.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"ad- "to" + tactare "to touch, handle""

Base: attack
attacked fiercelyattacked relentlesslysuffered an attack

Common misspellings

atackedattakedatack

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written