attack

A2
Pronunciation
/əˈtæk/
/əˈtæk/
/əˈtæk/
Noun
12 definition(s)
1 Definition

An attempt to cause damage, injury to, or death of opponent or enemy.

2 Definition

An attempt to detract from the worth or credibility of, a person, position, idea, object, or thing, by physical, verbal, emotional, or other assault.

Example Sentences
  • They claimed the censorship of the article was an attack on free speech.
3 Definition

A time in which one attacks; the offence of a battle.

Example Sentences
  • The army timed their attack to coincide with the local celebrations.
4 Definition

(by extension) The beginning of active operations on anything.

Example Sentences
  • Having washed the plates from dinner, I made an attack on the laundry.
5 Definition

An attempt to exploit a vulnerability in a computer system.

6 Definition

Collectively, the bowlers of a cricket side.

7 Definition

Any contact with the ball other than a serve or block which sends the ball across the plane of the net.

Synonyms
hit spike
8 Definition

The three attackmen on the field or all the attackmen of a team.

9 Definition

The sudden onset of a disease or condition.

Example Sentences
  • I've had an attack of the flu.
10 Definition

An active episode of a chronic or recurrent disease.

11 Definition

The onset of a musical note, particularly with respect to the strength (and duration) of that onset.

Antonyms
decay release
12 Definition

(audio) The amount of time it takes for the volume of an audio signal to go from zero to maximum level (e.g. an audio waveform representing a snare drum hit would feature a very fast attack, whereas that of a wave washing to shore would feature a slow attack).

Verb
9 definition(s)
1 Definition

To apply violent force to someone or something.

Example Sentences
  • This species of snake will only attack humans if it feels threatened.
2 Definition

To aggressively challenge a person, idea, etc., with words (particularly in newspaper headlines, because it typesets into less space than "criticize" or similar).

Example Sentences
  • She published an article attacking the recent pay cuts.
3 Definition

To begin to affect; to act upon injuriously or destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.

4 Definition

To deal with something in a direct way; to set to work upon.

Example Sentences
  • I attacked the meal with a hearty appetite.
5 Definition

To aim balls at the batsman’s wicket.

6 Definition

To set a field, or bowl in a manner designed to get wickets.

7 Definition

To bat aggressively, so as to score runs quickly.

8 Definition

To move forward in an active attempt to score a point, as opposed to trying not to concede.

9 Definition

To accelerate quickly in an attempt to get ahead of the other riders.