Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense attacks, present participle attacking, past tense, past participle attacked
1. verb
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence.
Fifty civilians were killed when government planes attacked the town. [VERB noun]
The robbers brutally attacked the security guard. [VERB noun]
While Haig and Foch argued, the Germans attacked. [VERB]
The infantry would use hit and run tactics to slow attacking forces. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: assault, strike (at), mug [informal], set about More Synonyms of attack
Attack is also a noun.
...a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets. [+ on]
Refugees had come under attack from federal troops. [+ from]
2. verb
If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations. [VERB noun]
A newspaper ran an editorial attacking him for being a showman. [VERB noun + for]
[Also V n as n/adj]
Synonyms: criticize, blame, abuse, blast More Synonyms of attack
Attack is also a noun.
The role of the state as a prime mover in planning social change has been under attack.
The committee yesterday launched a scathing attack on British business for failingto invest. [+ on]
3. verb
If something such as a disease, a chemical, or an insect attacks something, it harms or spoils it.
The virus seems to have attacked his throat. [VERB noun]
Several key crops failed when they were attacked by pests. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: infect, affect, poison, contaminate More Synonyms of attack
Attack is also a noun.
This greatly reduces attacks from pests and diseases. [+ from]
4. verb
If you attack a job or a problem, you start to deal with it in an energetic way.
...an attempt to attack the budget problem. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: deal with, concentrate on, look after, take care of More Synonyms of attack
5. verb
In games such as football, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal.
Now the U.S. is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal. [VERB noun]
The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the secondhalf. [VERB]
Attack is also a noun.
Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.
attackinggraded adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Manchester City will play a more attacking style of football.
6. countable noun
An attackof an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
It had brought on an attack of asthma. [+ of]
Synonyms: bout, fit, access, spell More Synonyms of attack
7. See also counter-attack, heart attack
More Synonyms of attack
attack in British English
(əˈtæk)
verb
1.
to launch a physical assault (against) with or without weapons; begin hostilities (with)
2. (intransitive)
to take the initiative in a game, sport, etc
after a few minutes, the team began to attack
3. (transitive)
to direct hostile words or writings at; criticize or abuse vehemently
4. (transitive)
to turn one's mind or energies vigorously to (a job, problem, etc)
5. (transitive)
to begin to injure or affect adversely; corrode, corrupt, or infect
rust attacked the metal
6. (transitive)
to attempt to rape
noun
7.
the act or an instance of attacking
8.
strong criticism or abuse
an unjustified attack on someone's reputation
9.
an offensive move in a game, sport, etc
10.
commencement of a task, etc
11.
any sudden and usually severe manifestation of a disease or disorder
a heart attack
an attack of indigestion
12. the attack
13. music
decisiveness in beginning a passage, movement, or piece
14. music
the speed with which a note reaches its maximum volume
15.
an attempted rape
Derived forms
attackable (atˈtackable)
adjective
attacker (atˈtacker)
noun
attacking (atˈtacking)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from French attaquer, from Old Italian attaccare to attack, attach, from estaccare to attach, from staccastake1; compare attach
attack in American English
(əˈtæk)
verb transitive
1.
to use force against in order to harm; start a fight with; strike out at with physical or military force; assault
2.
to speak or write against, esp. with vigor; criticize, denounce, censure, etc.
3.
to begin working on energetically; undertake (a problem, task, etc.) vigorously
4.
to begin acting upon harmfully or destructively
the disease attacked him suddenly
verb intransitive
5.
to make an assault
noun
6.
the act of attacking
7.
any hostile offensive action, esp. with armed forces; onslaught
8.
the onset of a disease, or the recurrence of a chronic disease
9.
a beginning of any task, undertaking, etc.
10.
act or manner of such beginning
11. Music
promptness and precision in beginning a passage or phrase
SYNONYMY NOTE: attack implies vigorous, aggressive action, whether in actual combat or in an undertaking[to attack a city, a problem, etc.]; assail means to attack by repeated blows, thrusts, etc. [assailed by reproaches]; assault implies a sudden, violent attack or onslaught and suggests direct contact and theuse of force; , beset implies an attack or onset from all sides [beset with fears]; storm suggests a rushing, powerful assault that is stormlike in its action and effect;, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF means to attack with artillery or bombs, and in figurative use suggests persistent,repetitious action [to bombard a speaker with questions]
OPPOSITES: defend, resist
Derived forms
attacker (atˈtacker)
noun
Word origin
Fr attaquer < It attaccare < *estaccare < Goth *stakka, stake: see stick
COBUILD Collocations
attack
acid attack
alleged attack
asthma attack
attacks are rare
brutal attack
chemical attack
deadly attack
drone attack
fatal attack
frenzied attack
grenade attack
horrific attack
knife attack
missile attack
mortar attack
plan an attack
plot an attack
random attack
repel an attack
savage attack
scathing attack
shark attack
stage an attack
stop an attack
survive an attack
terror attack
terrorist attack
thwart an attack
trigger an attack
unprovoked attack
verbal attack
vicious attack
witness an attack
Examples of 'attack' in a sentence
attack
Sudden asthma attacks have been linked to thunderstorms in other countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The tech giant had come under attack for one reason.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you look around we have got some very attacking players.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many shark attack survivors are also against shark nets.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was charged with attempted murder after attacking his brother and father and trying to kill himself a year earlier.
The Sun (2017)
She has a very attacking game.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We were on top of them, we played attacking football and only missed goals today.
The Sun (2016)
In this case, the challenger was presented with an unexpected chance to launch a dangerous attack against the white king.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In more than half the cases of physical abuse, the attacks came from an unknown passer-by.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It damages your heart and blood circulation, increasing risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke.
The Sun (2017)
The press reported that he had suffered a heart attack.
John Fisher Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing (2006)
She adjusted her diet and things seemed to be improving when she had an asthma attack.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
This allows criminals to use infected machines to launch cyber attacks and steal financial information.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It was the same day four more attempted bomb attacks were thwarted in the capital.
The Sun (2015)
Yet he was attacked for acting arbitrarily.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
Using disease to attack a target is far harder than setting off a conventional bomb.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The crowd were fantastic and have had an enjoyable night of attacking football.
The Sun (2014)
Players have to attack and defend the bases.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet this attack is also similar to the kind of multiple shootings we see in civilian life.
The Sun (2012)
There is a flow and relaxation to his attacking game that has only previously been hinted at.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Survivors of the terror attack will give evidence today.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This attack is an attempt to kill the hope of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Traders are not the only ones suffering an attack of the jitters.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But they had no idea from which direction the attack would come.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
When he is invited to attack his opponents he is happy to do so.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In some people it can trigger an asthma attack.
The Sun (2010)
Detectives are treating the attack as attempted murder and have appealed for information.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Today the world is once again under attack from infectious diseases.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These serial attacks often follow periods of prolonged stress and the person may suspect that they have a brain tumour.
Whiteside, Dr Mike Banish Headaches -how to obtain fast, drug-free relief from headache (1990)
But then the diver suffered a heart attack and three other rescuers had to go to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It came after a Beeb probe found he did launch the attack.
The Sun (2015)
A bout of fierce fighting gave the rest of the English fleet enough time to come to the rescue and begin attacking the convoy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
Attack is the best form of defence
In other languages
attack
British English: attack /əˈtæk/ NOUN
An attack is the act or an instance of attacking.
...a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets.
American English: attack
Arabic: هُجُوم
Brazilian Portuguese: ataque
Chinese: 攻击
Croatian: napad
Czech: útok
Danish: angreb
Dutch: aanval
European Spanish: ataque ofensiva
Finnish: hyökkäys
French: attaque assaut
German: Angriff
Greek: επίθεση
Italian: attacco
Japanese: 攻撃
Korean: 공격
Norwegian: angrep
Polish: napad
European Portuguese: ataque
Romanian: atac
Russian: атака
Latin American Spanish: ataque
Swedish: angrepp
Thai: การโจมตี
Turkish: saldırı
Ukrainian: напад
Vietnamese: cuộc tấn công
British English: attack /əˈtæk/ VERB
physically To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence.
He was in the house when the dog attacked.
American English: attack
Arabic: يُهاجِمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: atacar
Chinese: 进攻
Croatian: napasti
Czech: zaútočit
Danish: angribe
Dutch: aanvallen
European Spanish: atacar
Finnish: hyökätä
French: attaquer
German: angreifen
Greek: επιτίθεμαι
Italian: attaccare
Japanese: 攻撃する
Korean: ...을 공격하다
Norwegian: angripe
Polish: zaatakować
European Portuguese: atacar
Romanian: a ataca
Russian: атаковать
Latin American Spanish: atacar
Swedish: angripa
Thai: โจมตี
Turkish: saldırmak
Ukrainian: нападати
Vietnamese: tấn công
British English: attack VERB
criticize If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations.
American English: attack
Brazilian Portuguese: atacar
Chinese: 抨击
European Spanish: atacar
French: attaquer
German: angreifen
Italian: attaccare
Japanese: 攻撃する
Korean: 공격하다
European Portuguese: atacar
Latin American Spanish: atacar
All related terms of 'attack'
attack ad
a public notice , such as a printed display or a short film on television, in which a political party criticizes or abuses an opponent
acid attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
attack dog
a dog trained to attack on command
the attack
the players in a team whose main role is to attack the opponents ' goal or territory
arson attack
an attack when property is set fire to
asthma attack
An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
banzai attack
a mass attack of troops , without concern for casualties , as practised by the Japanese in World War II
brutal attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
deadly attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
drone attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
fatal attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
ground attack
an attack using ground forces, as opposed to air or naval forces
heart attack
If someone has a heart attack , their heart begins to beat very irregularly or stops completely.
knife attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
mortar attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
panic attack
an episode of acute and disabling anxiety associated with such physical symptoms as hyperventilation and sweating
random attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
rocket attack
a missile attack
savage attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
shark attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
terror attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
verbal attack
If you attack a person, belief , idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
airborne attack
an attack involving airborne troops
alleged attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
anxiety attack
a sudden onset of extreme distress and agitation
bilious attack
a group of symptoms consisting of headache , abdominal pain, and constipation
chemical attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
counter-attack
If you counter-attack , you attack someone who has attacked you.
frenzied attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
grenade attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
horrific attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
missile attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
scathing attack
If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
suicide attack
a terrorist attack which someone undertakes knowing that he or she will die in the attack
torpedo attack
an attack launched from aircraft, ships, or submarines , using a bomb that is shaped like a tube and travels under water
vicious attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
dictionary attack
an attempt to hack into a computer or network by submitting every word in a dictionary as a possible password
impingement attack
a form of corrosion of metals caused by erosion of the oxide layer by a moving fluid in which there are suspended particles or air bubbles
line of attack
a line of attack to a problem or situation is how you approach it
plan an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
plot an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
stop an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
terrorist attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
unprovoked attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
angle of attack
the acute angle between the chord line of an aerofoil and the undisturbed relative airflow
repel an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
stage an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
survive an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
thwart an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
trigger an attack
An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
Chinese translation of 'attack'
attack
(əˈtæk)
vt
(= assault)[person]袭(襲)击(擊) (xíjī)
[place, troops]攻击(擊) (gōngjī)
(= criticise)[person, idea]抨击(擊) (pēngjī)
⇒ He attacked the press for misleading the public.他抨击新闻界误导公众。 (Tā pēngjī xīnwénjiè wùdǎo gōngzhòng.)
(= tackle)[task, problem etc]着(著)手 (zhuóshǒu)
(in sport) 进(進)攻 (jìngōng)
vi
(Mil, Sport) 进(進)攻 (jìngōng)
n
(c/u) (on person) 袭(襲)击(擊) (xíjī) (次, cì)
(c/u) (= military assault) 攻击(擊) (gōngjī) (次, cì)
(c) (= criticism) 抨击(擊) (pēngjī) (种(種), zhǒng)
(c/u)[of illness]发(發)作 (fāzuò) (阵(陣), zhèn)
⇒ an attack of asthma, an asthma attack哮喘发作 (xiàochuǎn fāzuò)
(c) (in sport) 进(進)攻 (jìngōng) (次, cì)
to come under attack (assault) 遭到袭(襲)击(擊) (zāodào xíjī) (criticism) 遭到抨击(擊) (zāodào pēngjī)
to launch an attack (assault) 发(發)动(動)进(進)攻 (fādòng jìngōng) (criticism) 发(發)起抨击(擊) (fāqǐ pēngjī)
an attack on sb (assault) 袭(襲)击(擊)某人 (xíjī mǒurén) (criticism) 抨击(擊)某人 (pēngjī mǒurén)
All related terms of 'attack'
heart attack
心脏(臟)病发(發)作 xīnzàngbìng fāzuò [ 阵(陣) zhèn ]
an attack on sb
( assault ) 袭(襲)击(擊)某人 xíjī mǒurén
to come under attack
( assault ) 遭到袭(襲)击(擊) zāodào xíjī
to launch an attack
( assault ) 发(發)动(動)进(進)攻 fādòng jìngōng
a racially motivated attack
带(帶)有种(種)族动(動)机(機)的攻击(擊)行动(動) dàiyǒu zhǒngzú dòngjī de gōngjī xíngdòng
to have a heart attack
心脏(臟)病发(發)作 xīnzàngbìng fāzuò
he was badly injured in the attack
他在进(進)攻中受了重伤(傷) tā zài jìngōng zhōng shòule zhòngshāng
he's a prime candidate for a heart attack
他很容易患心脏(臟)病 tā hěn róngyì huàn xīnzàngbìng
1 (verb)
Definition
to launch a physical assault (against)
The duo are believed to have attacked several people in South London.
Synonyms
assault
They would be compelled to assault the capital from the south.
strike (at)
mug (informal)
I was getting into my car when this guy tried to mug me.
set about
ambush
Rebels ambushed 10 patrolmen.
assail
He was assailed by a young man.
tear into
fall upon
set upon
lay into (informal)
Opposites
support
,
protect
,
guard
,
defend
,
withdraw
,
sustain
,
retreat
2 (verb)
Definition
to launch a physical assault (against)
The infantry's aim was to slow attacking forces.
Synonyms
invade
In 1944 the allies invaded the Italian mainland.
occupy
Alexandretta had been occupied by the French in 1918.
raid
8th century Vikings set off to raid the coasts of Europe.
infringe
charge
He charged into the room.
rush
They rushed the entrance.
storm
The refugees decided to storm the embassy.
encroach
He doesn't like people to encroach on his territory.
3 (verb)
Definition
to criticize vehemently
He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for a secret ballot.
Synonyms
criticize
His mother had rarely criticized him or any of her children.
blame
I do not blame them for trying to make some money.
abuse
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
blast
They have blasted the report.
pan (informal)
His first movie was panned by the critics.
condemn
Political leaders united yesterday to condemn the latest wave of violence.
knock (informal)
I'm not knocking them: if they want to do it, it's up to them.
slam (slang)
The director slammed the claims as an outrageous lie.
flame (informal)
put down
slate (informal)
Slated by critics at the time, the film has since become a classic.
have a go (at) (informal)
censure
I would not presume to censure him for his views.
malign
We maligned him dreadfully, assuming the very worst about him.
berate
Marion berated Joe for the noise he made.
disparage
his tendency to disparage literature
revile
What right had the crowd to revile them?
vilify
He was vilified and forced into exile.
tear into (informal)
slag off (British, slang)
throw shade (at) (slang)
diss (slang)
find fault with
impugn (formal)
I hope the good name of the company will not be impugned.
go for the jugular
lambast(e)
pick holes in
excoriate
bite someone's head off
snap someone's head off
pick to pieces
4 (verb)
Definition
to affect adversely
The virus seems to have attacked his throat.
Synonyms
infect
The birds infect the milk.
affect
He loved his sister, and her loss clearly still affects him.
poison
The land has been completely poisoned by chemicals.
contaminate
The fishing waters have been contaminated with toxic wastes.
pollute
beaches polluted by sewage pumped into the sea
touch
a guilt that in some way touches everyone
blight
taint
Rancid oil will taint the flavour.
spread to or among
5 (verb)
Definition
to set about (a job or problem) with vigour
Any attempt to attack the problem will have to deal with these issues.
Synonyms
deal with
concentrate on
look after
take care of
see to
attend to
get to work on
devote yourself to
apply yourself to
occupy yourself with
1 (noun)
Definition
the act of attacking
a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets
Synonyms
assault
The rebels are poised for a new assault.
charge
He led the cavalry charge from the front.
campaign
The General's campaign against the militia has so far failed.
strike
a nuclear strike
rush
Throw something noisy and feign a rush at him.
raid
The rebels attempted a surprise raid on a military camp.
invasion
seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain
offensive
The armed forces have launched an offensive to recapture lost ground.
aggression
the threat of massive military aggression
blitz
Security forces are active since the bombing blitz last month.
onset
onslaught
a military onslaught against the rebels
foray
She made her first forays into politics.
incursion
armed incursions into border areas by rebel forces
inroad
Opposites
support
,
defence
,
withdrawal
,
retreat
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of attacking
He launched an attack on businesses for failing to invest.
Synonyms
criticism
The policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism.
panning (informal)
slating (informal)
censure
It is a controversial policy which has attracted international censure.
disapproval
His action had been greeted with almost universal disapproval.
slagging (slang)
abuse
A group of people started to heckle and shout abuse.
knocking (informal)
bad press
vilification
Clare did not deserve the vilification she was subjected to.
denigration
the denigration of certain members of society
calumny
He alleges that he was the victim of calumny and dirty tricks.
character assassination
sideswipe
disparagement
They were unanimous in their disparagement of the book.
impugnment
3 (noun)
The body is open to attack from other infections.
Synonyms
infection
Ear infections are common in pre-school children.
poison
the poison of crime and violence spreading through the city
pollution
environmental pollution
contamination
Acid rain is responsible for the destruction of forests and the contamination of rivers and streams.
contagion
They have been reluctant to admit patients with the disease because of fears of contagion.
septicity
4 (noun)
Definition
any sudden appearance of a disease or symptoms
It brought on an attack of asthma.
Synonyms
bout
I was suffering with a bout of nerves.
fit
Once a fit has started there's nothing you can do to stop it.
access
spell
There has been a spell of dry weather.
stroke
He had a minor stroke, which left him partly paralysed.
seizure
I was prescribed drugs to control seizures.
spasm
He felt a spasm of fear.
convulsion
He fell to the floor in the grip of an epileptic convulsion.
paroxysm
She was overcome by a paroxysm of grief.
proverb
Attack is the best form of defence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abuse
Definition
to speak insultingly or cruelly to
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
Synonyms
insult,
injure,
offend,
curse,
put down,
smear,
libel,
slate (informal, British),
slag (off) (slang),
malign,
scold,
swear at,
disparage,
castigate,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
diss (slang),
defame,
upbraid,
slight,
flame (informal),
inveigh against,
call names,
traduce (formal),
calumniate,
vituperate
in the sense of abuse
Definition
insulting comments
A group of people started to heckle and shout abuse.