1. attack, onrush, onset, onslaught

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

Example Sentences:
'the attack began at dawn'

• onrush
• onset
• onslaught

2. attack

an offensive move in a sport or game

Example Sentences:
'they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning'

3. attack, blast, fire, flack, flak

intense adverse criticism

Example Sentences:
'Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party'
'the government has come under attack'
'don't give me any flak'

• blast
• fire
• flack
• flak

4. approach, attack, plan of attack

ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation

Example Sentences:
'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'

• approach
• plan of attack

5. attack, attempt

the act of attacking

Example Sentences:
'attacks on women increased last year'
'they made an attempt on his life'

• attempt

6. attack, tone-beginning

a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase

• tone-beginning

7. attack

a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition

Example Sentences:
'an attack of diarrhea'

8. attack

the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)

Example Sentences:
'the film was sensitive to attack by acids'
'open to attack by the elements'

9. attack

strong criticism

Example Sentences:
'he published an unexpected attack on my work'

10. assail, attack

launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

Example Sentences:
'Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II'
'Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week'

• assail

11. assail, assault, attack, lash out, round, snipe

attack in speech or writing

Example Sentences:
'The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker'

• assail
• assault
• lash out
• round
• snipe

12. aggress, attack

take the initiative and go on the offensive

Example Sentences:
'The Serbs attacked the village at night'
'The visiting team started to attack'

• aggress

13. assail, assault, attack, set on

attack someone physically or emotionally

Example Sentences:
'The mugger assaulted the woman'
'Nightmares assailed him regularly'

• assail
• assault
• set on

14. attack

set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task

Example Sentences:
'I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed'

15. attack

begin to injure

Example Sentences:
'The cancer cells are attacking his liver'
'Rust is attacking the metal'