(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons); the attack began at dawn
an offensive move in a sport or game; they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning'
intense adverse criticism; Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party; the government has come under attack; dont give me any flak
ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation; his approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons; an attack on inflation; his plan of attack was misguided
[ Syn: approach , plan of attack ]
the act of attacking; attacks on women increased last year; they made an attempt on his life
[ Syn: attempt ]
a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
[ Syn: tone-beginning ]
a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition; an attack of diarrhea'
the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent); the film was sensitive to attack by acids; open to attack by the elements'
strong criticism; he published an unexpected attack on my work'
attack (n.)
launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with; Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II; Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week
[ Syn: assail ]
attack in speech or writing; The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker
take the initiative and go on the offensive; The Serbs attacked the village at night; The visiting team started to attack
[ Syn: aggress ]
attack someone physically or emotionally; The mugger assaulted the woman; Nightmares assailed him regularly
set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task; I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed'
begin to injure; The cancer cells are attacking his liver; Rust is attacking the metal'