attack
gb/ətˈæk/ us/ətˈæk/
A2
Inglés
~ 1500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
action
1
Use force to harm
To try to hurt or damage someone or something with force.
Patrón de uso:
to attack [someone/something]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
assault (Often more formal or legal; can refer to both physical and verbal aggression.)
Antónimos
defend (Means to protect oneself or someone/something else from harm or attack.)
Colocaciones
attack an enemy
|attack a target
|attack a player
|attack a position
Temas
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Sustantivo
A2
event
2
Act of harming with force
An act of trying to hurt or damage someone or something.
Patrón de uso:
an attack on [someone/something]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse 'attack' (noun) with 'attacker' (person who attacks).
Sinónimos
assault (Often more formal and can refer to both legal and military contexts.)
Antónimos
defense (Refers to actions taken to protect against an attack.)
Colocaciones
launch an attack
|under attack
|terrorist attack
|military attack
Temas
conflict
|violence
|sports
|core_vocabulary
|law
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The city was under attack.
- A sudden attack happened in the street.
- They planned an attack on the base.
Verbo
B1
action
3
Strongly criticize
To say strong and negative things about someone or something.
Patrón de uso:
to attack [someone/something] for [reason]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think 'attack' here means physical violence; in this sense it is only verbal or written criticism.
Sinónimos
criticize (Less forceful; 'attack' suggests more aggressive criticism.)
Antónimos
praise (Means to express approval or admiration instead of criticism.)
Colocaciones
attack a policy
|attack someone's character
|attack an idea
Temas
communication
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The report attacked the company's safety record.
- He attacked her ideas during the debate.
- Critics attacked the film for its poor script.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She attacked his plan in the meeting.
- The writer attacked the new law.
- They attacked the idea because it was too risky.
Sustantivo
B1
event
4
Sudden illness episode
A short time when you feel very sick or have a strong feeling.
Patrón de uso:
an attack of [illness/feeling]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse 'heart attack' with 'stroke'; they are different medical conditions.
Sinónimos
episode (Neutral term for a short period of symptoms; less intense sounding than 'attack'.)
Antónimos
recovery (Refers to returning to normal health after illness.)
Colocaciones
heart attack
|panic attack
|asthma attack
Temas
health
|emotions
|body
Ejemplos
- He suffered a heart attack last year.
- She had an asthma attack during the race.
- I had an attack of nerves before the performance.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My uncle had a heart attack.
- She had a panic attack at work.
- He had an asthma attack after running.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
attack
AFI
GB/ətˈæk/
US/ətˈæk/
Sílabas y acento
at - tack (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tack)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: attack
- Plural: attack, attacks
Verb
- Base: attack
- 3rd Person Singular: attacks
- Present Participle: attacking
- Past: attacked
Familia de palabras
Forms
attacks
noun
attacking
verb
attacked
verb
Core family
attacker
noun B1
Advanced or less common
counterattack
noun
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- She had a panic attack before her speech.
- Panic attacks can make it hard to breathe.