raid

8 synonyms for raid, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

assault

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

ambush bust

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

incursion foray swoop sortie maraud

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police.

“The museum was the target of a night raid by thieves.”

incursion assault ambush foray swoop sortie maraud

2. verb

To carry out a sudden attack or unannounced search on a place.

“Officers raided the flat after neighbours reported stolen goods.”

bust

How to use raid

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a police raid carry out a raid raid a house a dawn raid

Etymology

From the Scots word raid, going back to an Old English word for "a ride" or "expedition on horseback" — the same root as "road." The modern sense was revived by Walter Scott in the 19th century.

Full origin of raid →

Frequently asked questions

What does “raid” mean?

The word “raid” means a sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police. In plain terms, a surprise attack or sudden search, whether military, criminal, or by the police.

How do you pronounce “raid”?

“Raid” is pronounced rayd (/ɹeɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “raid” in a sentence?

Here is “raid” used in a sentence: “Police carried out a dawn raid on the suspected drug den.”

What part of speech is “raid”?

Depending on how it is used, “raid” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “raid” come from?

The word “raid” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. From the Scots word raid, going back to an Old English word for "a ride" or "expedition on horseback" — the same root as "road." The modern sense was revived by Walter Scott in the 19th century.

Is “raid” a common word?

“Raid” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “raid” have?

“Raid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police.

What is the difference between a 'raid' and an 'attack'?

A raid is a sudden, brief, and targeted incursion, often aimed at a specific place before withdrawing. An attack is a broader term that can describe any hostile action, including sustained or large-scale assaults that a raid usually is not.

What is the difference between a 'raid' and an 'invasion'?

A raid is a quick, limited operation with a narrow objective, after which the raiders typically leave. An invasion is a large-scale operation intended to enter and occupy territory over a longer period.

What is a 'police raid'?

A police raid is a sudden, unannounced entry into a premises to make arrests or search for evidence. It relies on surprise, which is why raids are often carried out early in the morning, sometimes called a 'dawn raid.'

People also searched

assault bust ambush swoop incursion foray sortie maraud

Nearby words

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