attack

Pluralattacks

Formsattacks, attacking, attacked

1. 1
   armed strikenouncountable or uncountable

   A violent act against an enemy, or the part of a fight where one side tries to hurt the other.

   The army launched an attack on the city at night.

   High walls protected the town from attacks by sea raiders.

   UsageSay an attack on a place or person. You can also say a shark attack.

   Similarassault, offensive, raid, strike, onslaught

   Oppositedefense

2. 2
   set uponverbtransitive

   To use violence to hurt a person or to damage a thing.

   Two men attacked him on his way home last night.

   A bear may attack people if it feels in danger.

   UsageSay attack the town, with no word in between, but an attack on the town.

   Similarsavage

   Oppositedefend, protect

   Note
3. 3
   sudden illnessnouncountable

   A sudden time when an illness starts or gets worse, like an asthma attack.

   He had a heart attack and went to the hospital.

   An attack of fever kept her in bed for two days.

   UsageSay have an attack, an attack of fever, or put the illness first: heart attack.

   Similarbout, fit, episode, spell

   Note
4. 4
   harsh criticismnouncountable or uncountable

   An attempt to make a person or an idea look bad or wrong.

   Her speech was an attack on the mayor's new plan.

   The newspaper printed angry attacks on the new tax law.

   UsageSay an attack on a plan or person. A personal attack is about the person, not their ideas.

   Similarcriticism, assault, broadside, onslaught, tirade

   Oppositedefense, praise

5. 5
   criticizeverbtransitive

   To use strong words against a person or an idea.

   The two candidates attacked each other during the debate.

   Many parents attack the plan to close the local school.

   UsageYou can attack a plan as bad, or attack a person for what they did.

   Similarcriticize, condemn, denounce, assail, lambaste

   Oppositedefend, praise, support, endorse

   Note
6. 6
   computer hackingnouncountable

   An attempt to break into a computer system or to harm it.

   Like a thief trying every door and window of a house to find one that is not locked.

   Hackers got into the bank's computers in a big attack.

   The shop's website stopped working after an attack by hackers.

   Similarintrusion, breach, hack

   Note
7. 7
   game movenouncountable

   A move in a game that a character uses to hurt enemies.

   Her strongest attack takes away half of the monster's health.

   You unlock new attacks as your character gains levels.

   Similarmove

   Note
8. 8
   tackle (job)verbtransitive

   To start working on a job or problem with energy.

   She attacked the pile of dirty dishes right after dinner.

   Let's attack the hardest questions first and save the easy ones.

   UsageOften used with chores or food: attack the dishes, attack a meal. It shows energy, not anger.

   Similartackle, address, confront, handle

   Oppositeavoid, neglect, ignore

   Note
9. 9
   damage (disease or rust)verbtransitive

   To start to slowly damage or destroy something.

   Rust attacked the old bike left outside in the rain.

   Strong acids can attack metal pipes over time.

   Similarcorrode, erode, damage, degrade

   Note
10. 10
    try to score (soccer)verbintransitive

    In soccer, to move forward and try to score instead of just defending.

    Our team began to attack as soon as we won the ball.

    They attacked for the whole second half but never scored.

    Similaradvance

    Oppositedefend

    Note
11. 11
    kind of weaponadjective

    Made, trained, or kept ready for fighting against others.

    The guard kept two attack dogs inside the fence at night.

    An attack helicopter flew low over the hills during the drill.

    UsagePut it before a noun: attack dog, attack ad.

    Similaroffensive, aggressive

    Oppositedefensive

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