attack
gb/ətˈæk/ us/ətˈæk/
A2
English
~ 1500
megtámad, támadás, élesen bírál, támad, roham
VERB
A2
1
megtámad
B1
Usage pattern:
to attack [someone/something]
The army attacked the city at dawn.
A hadsereg hajnalban megtámadta a várost.
He was attacked by a gang while walking home.
Egy banda támadta meg, miközben hazafelé sétált.
Protesters attacked the government's new policy.
The dog suddenly attacked the mail carrier.
Learner examples
The cat attacked the bird.
A macska megtámadta a madarat.
Soldiers attacked the small town.
A katonák megtámadták a kisvárost.
A man attacked another man in the park.
The team attacked the goal in the final minute.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'attack' with 'criticize'. While criticism can be described as an 'attack' in a figurative sense, in the basic meaning it refers to physical or direct action.
Meaning
Use force to harm
Collocations
attack an enemy
|attack a target
|attack a player
|attack a position
Synonyms
assault (Often more formal or legal; can refer to both physical and verbal aggression.)
Antonyms
defend (Means to protect oneself or someone/something else from harm or attack.)
Themes
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
To try to hurt or damage someone or something with force.
To take aggressive action against someone or something in order to harm, defeat, or destroy them.
NOUN
A2
2
támadás
B1
Usage pattern:
an attack on [someone/something]
The country responded to the missile attack with airstrikes.
Az ország légicsapásokkal válaszolt a rakétatámadásra.
There was a violent attack on the village last night.
Tegnap éjjel erőszakos támadás érte a falut.
The politician faced an attack from his opponents.
Learner examples
The city was under attack.
A város támadás alatt állt.
A sudden attack happened in the street.
Váratlan támadás történt az utcán.
They planned an attack on the base.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'attack' (noun) with 'attacker' (person who attacks).
Meaning
Act of harming with force
Collocations
launch an attack
|under attack
|terrorist attack
|military attack
Synonyms
assault (Often more formal and can refer to both legal and military contexts.)
Antonyms
defense (Refers to actions taken to protect against an attack.)
Themes
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
An act of trying to hurt or damage someone or something.
An aggressive act intended to harm, defeat, or destroy someone or something.
VERB
B1
3
élesen bírál
B2
támad
B2
Usage pattern:
to attack [someone/something] for [reason]
The report attacked the company's safety record.
A jelentés élesen bírálta a vállalat biztonsági mutatóit.
He attacked her ideas during the debate.
A vita során élesen bírálta az elképzeléseit.
Critics attacked the film for its poor script.
Learner examples
She attacked his plan in the meeting.
A megbeszélésen élesen bírálta a tervét.
The writer attacked the new law.
Az író élesen bírálta az új törvényt.
They attacked the idea because it was too risky.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'attack' here means physical violence; in this sense it is only verbal or written criticism.
Meaning
Strongly criticize
Collocations
attack a policy
|attack someone's character
|attack an idea
Synonyms
criticize (Less forceful; 'attack' suggests more aggressive criticism.)
Antonyms
praise (Means to express approval or admiration instead of criticism.)
Themes
communication
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say strong and negative things about someone or something.
To speak or write very critically about someone or something, often publicly.
NOUN
B1
4
roham
B1
Usage pattern:
an attack of [illness/feeling]
He suffered a heart attack last year.
Tavaly szívrohamot kapott.
She had an asthma attack during the race.
A verseny közben asztmás rohama volt.
I had an attack of nerves before the performance.
Learner examples
My uncle had a heart attack.
A nagybátyám szívrohamot kapott.
She had a panic attack at work.
Pánikrohama volt a munkahelyén.
He had an asthma attack after running.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'heart attack' with 'stroke'; they are different medical conditions.
Meaning
Sudden illness episode
Collocations
heart attack
|panic attack
|asthma attack
Synonyms
episode (Neutral term for a short period of symptoms; less intense sounding than 'attack'.)
Antonyms
recovery (Refers to returning to normal health after illness.)
Themes
health
|emotions
|body
Definition
A short time when you feel very sick or have a strong feeling.
A sudden short period of illness or a strong feeling that affects someone physically or mentally.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attack
IPA
GB/ətˈæk/
US/ətˈæk/
Syllables & stress
at - tack (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tack)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: attack
- Plural: attack, attacks
Verb
- Base: attack
- 3rd Person Singular: attacks
- Present Participle: attacking
- Past: attacked
Word family
Forms
attacks
noun
attacking
verb
attacked
verb
Core family
attacker
noun B1
Advanced or less common
counterattack
noun
Expressions
attack on [someone/something]
1/ətˈæk ˈɔn sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Aggressive act toward target
An act of trying to hurt or damage a person or thing.
Examples
- There was an attack on the embassy last night.
- He made a verbal attack on his opponent.
heart attack
1/hˈɑɹt ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
Sudden heart failure episode
A serious health problem when the heart stops working well suddenly.
Examples
- He died of a heart attack at age 60.
- Smoking increases your risk of having a heart attack.
launch an attack
1/lˈɔnt͡ʃ ən ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
Start aggressive action
To start trying to hurt, damage, or defeat someone or something.
Examples
- The army launched an attack at dawn.
- Protesters launched an attack on the new law.
under attack
1/ˈʌndɚ ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
Being aggressively targeted
Being harmed or criticized by others.
Examples
- The city is under attack from enemy forces.
- The company has been under attack for its poor working conditions.
panic attack
1/pˈænɪk ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
sudden episode of intense fear
A short time when a person suddenly feels very strong fear or anxiety, often with physical signs like fast heartbeat, shaking, or trouble breathing.
Examples
- She had a panic attack on the crowded train and had to get off at the next stop.
- After his first panic attack, he went to see a doctor.
- Loud noises can sometimes trigger a panic attack in him.
panic attack
2/pˈænɪk ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
Sudden intense fear episode
A short time when you feel very afraid and your body reacts strongly.
Examples
- She had a panic attack before her speech.
- Panic attacks can make it hard to breathe.