pounce
1 of 5noun (1)
ˈpau̇n(t)s 
: the claw of a bird of prey
pounce
2 of 5verb (1)
pounced; pouncing
intransitive verb
1
a
: to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons
b
: to seize upon and make capital of something (such as another's blunder or an opportunity)
2
: to make a sudden assault or approach
pounce
3 of 5noun (2)
: the act of pouncing
pounce
4 of 5verb (2)
pounced; pouncing
transitive verb
: to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce
pounce
5 of 5noun (3)
1
: a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading
2
: a fine powder for making stenciled patterns
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- assail
- assault
- attack
- beset
- bushwhack
- charge
- descend (on or upon)
- go in (on)
- jump (on)
- raid
- rush
- set on
- sic
- sick
- storm
- strike
- trash
- turn (on)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, punching tool, dagger, talon — more at punch
Verb (2)
Middle French poncer, from ponce
Noun (3)
French ponce pumice, from Middle French, from Late Latin pomic-, pomex, alteration of Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam
First Known Use
Noun (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (1)
1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
1841, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1535, in the meaning defined above
Noun (3)
1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
pounce
verb
ˈpau̇ns
pounced; pouncing
1
: to suddenly jump toward and seize something with or as if with claws
The cat waited to pounce.
2
: to act, approach, or attack suddenly or without hesitation
I pounced on the opportunity.
pouncing
verb
as in attacking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- attacking
- romping
- cavorting
- capering
- gamboling
- frolicking
- leaping
- gambolling
- jumping
- loping
- bouncing
- shooting
- hopping
- bounding
- bucking
- skyrocketing
- skipping
- springing
- leapfrogging
- caprioling
- hurdling
- vaulting