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attack

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The definition of attack is to take on or handle something, sometimes aggressively.

(verb)

An example of attack is a person finally taking on the cleaning of their crammed closets.

The definition of attack is to make an attempt to hurt someone or something (physically or verbally), to destroy someone or something, to impact someone or something in a dangerous manner, or to forcibly take someone or something.

(verb)

An example of attack is a couple calling each other terrible names when they get into a fight.
An example of attack is to rip up all the pictures one has of their ex.
An example of attack is mold growing inside the walls of a house.
An example of attack is a man holding a gun to a woman’s head, and demanding her purse and jewelry.

Attack is defined as the act of making a physical or verbal attempt to hurt or destroy, sometimes in a purposefully hurtful manner.

(noun)

When a military unit discovers an enemy building, and they begin heavy firing and bombing, it is an example of an attack.
When two presidential candidates have a debate and end up slinging insults back in forth in order to undermine the other’s chances, it is an example of an attack.

Attack means a sudden bout of illness, often one that returns from time to time, or a bout of intense feelings.

(noun)

When a person has asthma and they have an episode where they can’t breathe, it is an example of an attack.
When the anniversary of a death comes around and a person experiences the blues for a few days, it is an example of an attack.

Attack is the act of dealing with something, occasionally in an aggressive manner.

(noun)

When a person decides to tackle the mound of papers on their desk and go through everything, it is an example of an attack.

Attack is the start of something dangerous and damaging, often in relation to some type of chemical substance.

(noun)

An attack is when battery acid begins to corrode and destroy the battery itself.

See attack in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to use force against in order to harm; start a fight with; strike out at with physical or military force; assault
to speak or write against, esp. with vigor; criticize, denounce, censure, etc.
to begin working on energetically; undertake (a problem, task, etc.) vigorously
to begin acting upon harmfully or destructively: the disease attacked him suddenly

Origin: Fr attaquer < It attaccare < *estaccare < Goth *stakka, stake: see stick

intransitive verb

to make an assault

noun

the act of attacking
any hostile offensive action, esp. with armed forces; onslaught
the onset of a disease, or the recurrence of a chronic disease
a beginning of any task, undertaking, etc.
act or manner of such beginning
Music promptness and precision in beginning a passage or phrase

Related Forms:

attacker noun

See attack in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb at·tacked, at·tack·ing, at·tacks

verb, transitive

To set upon with violent force.
To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner.
To start work on with purpose and vigor: attack a problem.
To begin to affect harmfully: a disease that attacks the central nervous system.

verb, intransitive

To make an attack; launch an assault: The enemy attacked during the night.

noun

The act or an instance of attacking; an assault.
An expression of strong criticism; hostile comment: vicious attacks in all the newspapers.
Sports
a. An offensive action in a sport or game.
b. The players executing such an action.
a. The initial movement in a task or undertaking: made an optimistic attack on the pile of paperwork.
b. A method or procedure: Our attack on this project will have two phases.
An episode or onset of a disease, especially an occurrence of a chronic disease: an asthma attack.
The experience or beginning of a feeling, need, or desire: an attack of hunger; an attack of melancholy.
a. Music The beginning or manner of beginning a piece, passage, or tone.
b. Decisiveness and clarity in artistic expression: a careful performance, but one lacking the rigorous attack the work demands.