A2noun 1K

Attack

🇬🇧 UK /["/əˈtæk/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/əˈtæk/"]/

Meaning of Attack

an act of using violence to try to hurt or kill somebody

In simple words: To try to hurt or damage someone or something.

Attack in a sentence

• The army launched an attack on the enemy's base.
• After the attack, the city was in ruins.
• He suffered a heart attack while playing sports.
• The lion made a quick attack on its prey.
• She felt an attack of anxiety before her speech.

How to use Attack

Use 'attack' in contexts of physical assaults or criticisms. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where lighter words may fit better.

Grammar pattern

attack + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'a-tack' — imagine a tacking down a target in archery.

Related words

Collocations with Attack

• brutal
• frenzied
• horrific
• series
• spate
• wave
• carry out
• be subjected to
• block
• happen
• occur
• take place
• attack against
• attack by
• attack on
• a victim of an attack
• all-out
• full-scale
• major
• series
• carry out
• launch
• lead
• come
• happen
• occur
• under attack
• attack against
• attack by
• acute
• sudden
• bad
• experience
• have
• suffer
• happen
• occur
• take place
• attack of
• acute
• sudden
• bad
• experience
• have
• suffer
• happen
• occur
• take place
• attack of
• bitter
• blistering
• devastating
• deliver
• go on the
• launch
• attack on
• attack upon
• a/​the line of attack
• open to attack

Synonyms for Attack

• assault
• strike
• hit
• offensive
• offend

Opposites of Attack

• defend
• protect

Common mistakes with Attack

• Confused with 'assault' - 'attack' can refer to both verbal and physical actions.
• Using 'attack' without an object, e.g., saying 'I will attack' instead of 'I will attack the problem'.
• Mixing up 'attack' with 'defend' - they have opposite meanings.

Frequently asked questions about Attack

What does Attack mean?

To try to hurt or damage someone or something.

What is the definition of Attack?

an act of using violence to try to hurt or kill somebody

How do you use Attack in a sentence?

The army launched an attack on the enemy's base.

Can you give another example of Attack?

After the attack, the city was in ruins.

What are synonyms for Attack?

Common alternatives include assault, strike, hit, offensive, offend.

What is the opposite of Attack?

Opposite meanings include defend, protect.

What words go with Attack?

It commonly pairs with brutal, frenzied, horrific, series, spate, wave, carry out, be subjected to, block, happen, occur, take place, attack against, attack by, attack on, a victim of an attack, all-out, full-scale, major, series, carry out, launch, lead, come, happen, occur, under attack, attack against, attack by, acute, sudden, bad, experience, have, suffer, happen, occur, take place, attack of, acute, sudden, bad, experience, have, suffer, happen, occur, take place, attack of, bitter, blistering, devastating, deliver, go on the, launch, attack on, attack upon, a/​the line of attack, open to attack.

What are common mistakes when using Attack?

Confused with 'assault' - 'attack' can refer to both verbal and physical actions. Using 'attack' without an object, e.g., saying 'I will attack' instead of 'I will attack the problem'. Mixing up 'attack' with 'defend' - they have opposite meanings.

How do you pronounce Attack?

US: /["/əˈtæk/"]/, UK: /["/əˈtæk/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Attack?

Use 'attack' in contexts of physical assaults or criticisms. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where lighter words may fit better.

What CEFR level is Attack?

"Attack" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.