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English noun: attack

1. attack (act) (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)


SamplesThe attack began at dawn.


Synonymsonrush, onset, onslaught


Broader (hypernym)military operation, operation


Narrower (hyponym)banzai attack, banzai charge, blitz, blitzkrieg, bombardment, bombing, charge, counterattack, countermove, coup de main, diversion, diversionary attack, fire, firing, ground attack, incursion, penetration, strafe, strike, surprise attack


Part holonymassault


Domain categoryarmed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine

2. attack (act) an offensive move in a sport or game


SamplesThey won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning.


Broader (hypernym)play, turn


Narrower (hyponym)counterattack, counterplay

3. attack (communication) intense adverse criticism


SamplesClinton directed his fire at the Republican Party.
The government has come under attack.
Don't give me any flak.


Synonymsblast, fire, flack, flak


Broader (hypernym)criticism, unfavorable judgment

4. attack (act) ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation


SamplesHis approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons.
An attack on inflation.
His plan of attack was misguided.


Synonymsapproach, plan of attack


Broader (hypernym)conceptualisation, conceptualization, formulation


Narrower (hyponym)avenue

5. attack (act) the act of attacking


SamplesAttacks on women increased last year.
They made an attempt on his life.


Synonymsattempt


Broader (hypernym)crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense


Narrower (hyponym)assault

6. attack (act) a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase


Synonymstone-beginning


Broader (hypernym)beginning, commencement, start

7. attack (state) a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition


SamplesAn attack of diarrhea.


Broader (hypernym)affliction


Narrower (hyponym)anxiety attack, apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident, convulsion, CVA, fit, flare, heart attack, hysterics, ictus, occlusion, paroxysm, raptus, seizure, spot, stroke, touch

8. attack (process) the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)


SamplesThe film was sensitive to attack by acids.
Open to attack by the elements.


Broader (hypernym)degeneration, devolution

9. attack (act) strong criticism


SamplesHe published an unexpected attack on my work.


Broader (hypernym)criticism, unfavorable judgment


Narrower (hyponym)aspersion, calumny, defamation, denigration, slander


English verb: attack

1. attack (competition) launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with


SamplesHitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II.
Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week.


Synonymsassail


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)contend, fight, struggle


Narrower (hyponym)beleaguer, besiege, blitz, bomb, bombard, bust, cannonade, circumvent, counterattack, counterstrike, gas, hem in, hit, invade, occupy, pelt, pepper, raid, storm, strafe, strike, submarine, surprise, surround, torpedo


Verb groupaggress, attack


Antonymsdefend

2. attack (communication) attack in speech or writing


SamplesThe editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker.


Synonymsassail, assault, lash out, round, snipe


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart


Narrower (hyponym)abuse, barrage, blackguard, blister, bombard, clapperclaw, claw, rip, rubbish, scald, shout, vitriol, whang, whip

3. attack (competition) take the initiative and go on the offensive


SamplesThe Serbs attacked the village at night.
The visiting team started to attack.


Synonymsaggress


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)act, move


Narrower (hyponym)check, fork, harass, pin, tackle


Verb groupassail, attack

4. attack (competition) attack someone physically or emotionally


SamplesThe mugger assaulted the woman.
Nightmares assailed him regularly.


Synonymsassail, assault, set on


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Narrower (hyponym)assault, bait, beset, blindside, bulldog, desecrate, dishonor, dishonour, jump, molest, outrage, outrage, profane, rape, ravish, reassail, rush, savage, set, set upon, sic, violate, violate

5. attack (change) set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task


SamplesI attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)begin, commence, get, get down, set about, set out, start, start out

6. attack (body) begin to injure


SamplesThe cancer cells are attacking his liver.
Rust is attacking the metal.


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)affect









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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