attack

Noun

• strong criticism
  • he published an unexpected attack on my work
    

• the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
  • the film was sensitive to attack by acids
    
  • open to attack by the elements
    

• a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition
  • an attack of diarrhea
    

• a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase

• the act of attacking
  • attacks on women increased last year
    
  • they made an attempt on his life
    

• ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
  • his approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons
    
  • an attack on inflation
    
  • his plan of attack was misguided
    

• intense adverse criticism
  • Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
    
  • the government has come under attack
    
  • don't give me any flak
    

• an offensive move in a sport or game
  • they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning
    

• (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
  • the attack began at dawn
    

Verb

• begin to injure
  • The cancer cells are attacking his liver
    
  • Rust is attacking the metal
    

• set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task
  • I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed
    

• attack someone physically or emotionally
  • The mugger assaulted the woman
    
  • Nightmares assailed him regularly
    

• take the initiative and go on the offensive
  • The Serbs attacked the village at night
    
  • The visiting team started to attack
    

• attack in speech or writing
  • The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker
    

• launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
  • Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II
    
  • Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  tone-beginning , attempt , approach , plan of attack , fire , flak , flack , blast , onslaught , onset , onrush , assail , assault , set on , aggress , round , lash out , snipe