noun
Uncommon
attacker
uh-TAK
Attacker (noun) means a person who attacks someone or something. Example: “Police are still searching for the attacker.”
noun
1
A person who attacks someone or something.
"Police are still searching for the attacker."
"In this manner, the victim may be able to discover the one or many zombied systems that are causing the DoS attack but probably won't be able to track down the actual attacker."
— James M. Stewart, CompTIA Security+ Review Guide: Exam SY0-301 (2011)
"The targets suggest the attackers are sympathetic to the vast censorship apparatus known as the Great Firewall of China."
— Dan Goodin, Massive denial-of-service attack on GitHub tied to Chinese government (2015)
2
In soccer and similar sports, a player positioned to score goals.
"The team's star attacker scored twice in the final."
How to use attacker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who attacks — whether in a violent incident or as an offensive player in sport.
Common pairings
lone attacker
star attacker
identify the attacker
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Word forms
- Plural
- attackers
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Police are still searching for the _____.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for attacker
acker
hacker
backer
Packer
cracker
slacker
blacker
hijacker
nutcracker
linebacker
firecracker
safecracker
See all rhymes for attacker →
Frequently asked questions
What does “attacker” mean?
The word “attacker” means a person who attacks someone or something. In plain terms, someone who attacks — whether in a violent incident or as an offensive player in sport.
How do you pronounce “attacker”?
“Attacker” is pronounced uh-TAK (/əˈtækɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “attacker” in a sentence?
Here is “attacker” used in a sentence: “Police are still searching for the attacker.”
What part of speech is “attacker”?
“Attacker” is a noun.
Is “attacker” a common word?
“Attacker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “attacker” have?
“Attacker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who attacks someone or something.
What is the difference between an attacker and an assailant?
Both words describe a person who attacks someone or something, but "assailant" is more formal and almost always refers to a person who physically assaults another person. "Attacker" is broader and can describe physical aggressors, cyberattack perpetrators, or offensive players in sport.
What does attacker mean in soccer?
In soccer and similar sports, an "attacker" is a player positioned to score goals, generally taking up an offensive role near the opponent's goal. This differs from defenders, whose main job is stopping the opposing team from scoring.
Is attacker used in cybersecurity contexts?
Yes, "attacker" is standard terminology in cybersecurity for a person or group attempting to breach, exploit, or damage a computer system or network. The core meaning, someone who attacks something, extends naturally from physical contexts to digital ones.
