attack
gb/ətˈæk/ us/ətˈæk/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Use force to harm
To try to hurt or damage someone or something with force.
Usage pattern:
to attack [someone/something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
attack an enemy
|attack a target
|attack a player
|attack a position
Themes
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The army attacked the city at dawn.
- He was attacked by a gang while walking home.
- Protesters attacked the government's new policy.
- The dog suddenly attacked the mail carrier.
Learner examples
- The cat attacked the bird.
- Soldiers attacked the small town.
- A man attacked another man in the park.
- The team attacked the goal in the final minute.
Noun
A2
event
2
Act of harming with force
An act of trying to hurt or damage someone or something.
Usage pattern:
an attack on [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'attack' (noun) with 'attacker' (person who attacks).
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.)
Collocations
launch an attack
|under attack
|terrorist attack
|military attack
Themes
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The country responded to the missile attack with airstrikes.
- There was a violent attack on the village last night.
- The politician faced an attack from his opponents.
Learner examples
- The city was under attack.
- A sudden attack happened in the street.
- They planned an attack on the base.
Verb
B1
action
3
Strongly criticize
To say strong and negative things about someone or something.
Usage pattern:
to attack [someone/something] for [reason]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'attack' here means physical violence; in this sense it is only verbal or written criticism.
Synonyms
criticize (Less forceful; 'attack' suggests more aggressive criticism.)
Antonyms
praise (Means to express approval or admiration instead of criticism.)
Collocations
attack a policy
|attack someone's character
|attack an idea
Themes
communication
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report attacked the company's safety record.
- He attacked her ideas during the debate.
- Critics attacked the film for its poor script.
Learner examples
- She attacked his plan in the meeting.
- The writer attacked the new law.
- They attacked the idea because it was too risky.
Noun
B1
event
4
Sudden illness episode
A short time when you feel very sick or have a strong feeling.
Usage pattern:
an attack of [illness/feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'heart attack' with 'stroke'; they are different medical conditions.
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.)
Collocations
heart attack
|panic attack
|asthma attack
Themes
health
|emotions
|body
Examples
- He suffered a heart attack last year.
- She had an asthma attack during the race.
- I had an attack of nerves before the performance.
Learner examples
- My uncle had a heart attack.
- She had a panic attack at work.
- He had an asthma attack after running.
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.