Synonyms for attack

Synonyms for (noun) attack

Synonyms: attack, tone-beginning

Definition: a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase

Similar words: start, commencement, beginning

Definition: the act of starting something

Usage: he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations


Synonyms: attack

Definition: an offensive move in a sport or game

Usage: they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning

Similar words: play, turn

Definition: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Usage: it is my turn; it is still my play


Synonyms: attack, attempt

Definition: the act of attacking

Usage: attacks on women increased last year; they made an attempt on his life

Similar words: law-breaking, crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, offence, offense

Definition: (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

Usage: a long record of crimes


Synonyms: approach, attack, plan of attack

Definition: ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation

Usage: his approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons; an attack on inflation; his plan of attack was misguided

Similar words: conceptualisation, conceptualization, formulation

Definition: inventing or contriving an idea or explanation and formulating it mentally


Synonyms: onrush, onset, onslaught, attack

Definition: (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

Usage: the attack began at dawn

Similar words: military operation, operation

Definition: activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)

Usage: it was a joint operation of the navy and air force


Synonyms: attack

Definition: strong criticism

Usage: he published an unexpected attack on my work

Similar words: criticism, unfavorable judgment

Definition: disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

Usage: the senator received severe criticism from his opponent


Synonyms: fire, flack, flak, attack, blast

Definition: intense adverse criticism

Usage: Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party; the government has come under attack; don't give me any flak

Similar words: criticism, unfavorable judgment

Definition: disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

Usage: the senator received severe criticism from his opponent


Synonyms: attack

Definition: the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)

Usage: the film was sensitive to attack by acids; open to attack by the elements

Similar words: degeneration, devolution

Definition: the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality


Synonyms: attack

Definition: a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition

Usage: an attack of diarrhea

Similar words: affliction

Definition: a cause of great suffering and distress


Synonyms for (verb) attack

Synonyms: attack

Definition: begin to injure

Usage: The cancer cells are attacking his liver; Rust is attacking the metal

Similar words: affect

Definition: act physically on; have an effect upon

Usage: the medicine affects my heart rate


Synonyms: attack

Definition: set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task

Usage: I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed

Similar words: commence, start, start out, set about, set out, get, get down, begin

Definition: take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Usage: We began working at dawn; Who will start?; Get working as soon as the sun rises!; The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia; He began early in the day; Let's get down to work now


Synonyms: snipe, round, assail, assault, attack, lash out

Definition: attack in speech or writing

Usage: The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker

Similar words: criticise, criticize, pick apart, knock

Definition: find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws

Usage: The paper criticized the new movie; Don't knock the food--it's free


Synonyms: aggress, attack

Definition: take the initiative and go on the offensive

Usage: The Serbs attacked the village at night; The visiting team started to attack

Similar words: move, act

Definition: perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

Usage: think before you act; We must move quickly; The governor should act on the new energy bill; The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel


Synonyms: assail, attack

Definition: launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

Usage: Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II; Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week

Similar words: fight, contend, struggle

Definition: be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

Usage: the tribesmen fought each other; Siblings are always fighting; Militant groups are contending for control of the country


Visual thesaurus for attack