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attack

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noun British English pronunciation: attack /əˈtæk/ 
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singularattack
pluralattacks
  1. 1
    [countable] a violent attempt to harm a person, animal, or place

    a vicious attack

    attack on:

    measures to reduce the number of sexual attacks on young women

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    1. a.
      [countable/uncountable] an organized attempt to defeat an enemy, using weapons

      a nuclear attack

      attack on:

      Government forces renewed their attacks on a key communications tower.

      launch/mount an attack:

      We mounted a surprise attack against their ammunition depot.

      be/come under attack:

      The city was under attack throughout the night.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] strong criticism
    attack on:

    The book is widely seen as an attack on the education system.

    launch/mount an attack:

    He was outraged by the personal attacks launched against him.

    be/come under attack:

    Both candidates have come under attack for their health-care proposals.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
  3. 3
    [countable] the beginning or return of an illness, or the period during which you have it

    a severe asthma attack

    attack of:

    an attack of the flu

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    1. a.
      the beginning of a strong feeling or need, or the period during which you have it

      a hunger attack

      an anxiety attack

      attack of:

      an attack of spring fever

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    See also  heart attack
  4. 4
    [countable] an attempt to score points against an opponent in a game or sport

    Their attack in the final minutes wasn’t enough to win the game.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  attackThesaurus entry for this meaning of attack

This is the British English definition of attack. View American English definition of attack.

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