Cool MateAttack
UK /["/əˈtæk/"]/US /["/əˈtæk/"]/
Definition
an act of using violence to try to hurt or kill somebody
In simple words: To try to hurt or damage someone or something.
Examples
- 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.
Usage notes
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.
Collocations
- 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
- assault
- strike
- hit
- offensive
- offend
Antonyms
- defend
- protect
Common mistakes
- 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.