Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with: He attacked him with his bare hands.
2.
to begin hostilities against; start an offensive against: to attack the enemy.
3.
to blame or abuse violently or bitterly.
4.
to direct unfavorable criticism against; criticize severely; argue with strongly: He attacked his opponent's statement.
5.
EXPANDto try to destroy, especially with verbal abuse: to attack the mayor's reputation.
6.
to set about (a task) or go to work on (a thing) vigorously: to attack housecleaning; to attack the hamburger hungrily.
7.
COLLAPSE(of disease, destructive agencies, etc.) to begin to affect.
verb (used without object)
8.
to make an attack; begin hostilities.
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Attacks
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
noun
9.
the act of attacking; onslaught; assault.
10.
a military offensive against an enemy or enemy position.
11.
Pathology. seizure by disease or illness: an attack of indigestion.
12.
the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
13.
EXPANDan aggressive move in a performance or contest.
14.
COLLAPSEthe approach or manner of approach in beginning a musical phrase.
Origin:
1590–1600; earlier atta(c)que < Middle French atta(c)quer < Italian attaccare to attack, attach
1590–1600; earlier atta(c)que < Middle French atta(c)quer < Italian attaccare to attack, attach
Related forms
at·tack·a·ble, adjective
at·tack·er, noun
non·at·tack·ing, adjective
post·at·tack, adjective
pro·at·tack, adjective
EXPANDSynonyms
1. storm, charge. Attack, assail, assault, molest all mean to set upon someone forcibly, with hostile or violent intent. Attack is the most general word and applies to a beginning of hostilities, especially those definitely planned: to attack from ambush. Assail implies vehement, sudden, and sometimes repeated attack: to assail with weapons or with gossip. Assault almost always implies bodily violence: to assault with intent to kill. To molest is to harass, to threaten, or to assault: He was safe, and where no one could molest him. 4. censure; impugn, oppugn, abuse. 9. onset, encounter.
1. storm, charge. Attack, assail, assault, molest all mean to set upon someone forcibly, with hostile or violent intent. Attack is the most general word and applies to a beginning of hostilities, especially those definitely planned: to attack from ambush. Assail implies vehement, sudden, and sometimes repeated attack: to assail with weapons or with gossip. Assault almost always implies bodily violence: to assault with intent to kill. To molest is to harass, to threaten, or to assault: He was safe, and where no one could molest him. 4. censure; impugn, oppugn, abuse. 9. onset, encounter.
Antonyms
1, 4. defend. 9. defense.
1, 4. defend. 9. defense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To Attacks
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
attack
c.1600, from Fr. attaquer (16c.), from Florentine attaccare (battaglia) "join (battle)," thus the word is a doublet of attach, which was also used 15c.-17c. in the sense now reserved to attack.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
attack at·tack (ə-tāk')
n.
An episode or onset of a disease, often sudden in nature.
at·tack' v.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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