attack

The word “attack” means to use violent force against a person or place. In plain terms, to act aggressively against someone or something — with force, words, or sheer effort.

“Attack” is pronounced uh-TAK (/əˈtæk/ in IPA).

Here is “attack” used in a sentence: “The soldiers attacked the enemy position at dawn.”

Words with a similar meaning to “attack” include abuse, aggress, assail, assault, beat and beleaguer.

The opposite of “attack” — its antonyms — is defend.

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

The word “attack” comes from French. From French attaquer, ultimately from Italian attaccare ("to join, engage"), sharing a root with "attach.".

“Attack” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

The words are close, but assault often carries a legal or personal weight, referring to a direct physical or verbal onslaught on a person. Attack is broader: you can attack a person, a place, an army, or even, figuratively, an idea. Every assault is an attack, but not every attack is an assault.

The clearest opposite is defend, to protect against force rather than use it. Related opposites include guard, shield, and protect. In a broader sense, to retreat or withdraw is the opposite of pressing an attack forward. The right choice depends on whether you mean the act itself or the response to it.

An army storming a fortress attacks it, and a person striking another in a fight attacks that person. The word can also be used figuratively, as when a critic attacks an argument in a debate. At its core it means using force, physical or verbal, against someone or something.