attack
uh-TAK
Attack (verb) means to use violent force against a person or place. Example: “The soldiers attacked the enemy position at dawn.”
verb
1
To use violent force against a person or place.
"The soldiers attacked the enemy position at dawn."
2
To criticize someone or something harshly in words.
"Critics attacked the film for its slow pace and weak ending."
"Newspapers attacked the council's plan to close the library."
"The senator attacked her opponent's record in the debate."
3
To begin dealing with a task or problem with energy and determination.
"She attacked the garden with a spade and soon had it cleared."
"The team attacked the problem enthusiastically and found a solution by evening."
"Let's attack this pile of paperwork before lunch."
noun
1
A violent or aggressive act intended to harm.
"The city was placed on alert after the attack."
2
A sudden episode of illness or pain.
"The doctor said her sudden asthma attack was brought on by cold air."
"After the long flight he had an attack of dizziness and had to sit down."
"He suffered a mild heart attack last spring."
How to use attack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo act aggressively against someone or something — with force, words, or sheer effort.
Common pairings
launch an attack
attack a problem
under attack
panic attack
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- attacks
- Past tense
- attacked, attackt, attackted
- Archaic forms
- attackest, attackedst, attacketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soldiers _____ the enemy position at dawn.
Etymology
From French attaquer, ultimately from Italian attaccare ("to join, engage"), sharing a root with "attach."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “attack” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “attack”?
“Attack” is pronounced uh-TAK (/əˈtæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “attack” in a sentence?
Here is “attack” used in a sentence: “The soldiers attacked the enemy position at dawn.”
What is another word for “attack”?
Words with a similar meaning to “attack” include abuse, aggress, assail, assault, beat and beleaguer.
What is the opposite of “attack”?
The opposite of “attack” — its antonyms — is defend.
What part of speech is “attack”?
Depending on how it is used, “attack” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “attack” come from?
The word “attack” comes from French. From French attaquer, ultimately from Italian attaccare ("to join, engage"), sharing a root with "attach.".
Is “attack” a common word?
“Attack” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between attack and assault?
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.
What is the opposite of attack?
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.
What is an example of attack?
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.
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