attack */*/*/

I UK [əˈtæk] / US verb
Word forms "attack":
present tense I/you/we/they attack he/she/it attacks present participle attacking past tense attacked past participle attacked

1)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to use violence to harm a person, animal, or place

It was shortly before midnight when the terrorists attacked.

attack someone with something:

Two prison officers were brutally attacked with a knife.

b) to use weapons to try to defeat an enemy

The enemy attacked at dawn.

US jets attacked five air defence sites in the north.

2) [transitive] to strongly criticize someone or something for their ideas or actions

Opponents attacked the government's plan to increase road tax.

attack someone/something for (doing) something:

Parliament has been attacked for failing to take action.

attack something as something:

The deputy Prime Minister last night attacked the decision as foolish.

•

Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with attack
▪  bitterly, fiercely, openly, sharply, strongly, vigorously

3) [intransitive/transitive] to cause damage or disease in something

The virus attacks the body's red blood cells.

The wood had been attacked by a fungus.

4) [transitive] to begin working on something or doing something with enthusiasm and determination

We need to attack the problem now before it gets worse.

She was just about to attack a plate of spaghetti when the phone rang.

5) [intransitive/transitive] to try to score points against an opponent in a game or sport

They attacked with determination and defended well.

II UK [əˈtæk] / US noun
Word forms "attack":
singular attack plural attacks

1)

a) [countable] a violent attempt to harm a person, animal, or place

a vicious attack

attack on:

measures to reduce the number of sexual attacks on young women

b) [countable/uncountable] an organized attempt to defeat an enemy, using weapons

a nuclear attack

attack on:

Government forces renewed their attacks on a key communications tower.

launch/mount an attack:

We mounted a surprise attack against their ammunition depot.

be/come under attack:

The city was under attack throughout the night.

2) [countable/uncountable] strong criticism

attack on:

The book is widely seen as an attack on the education system.

launch/mount an attack:

He was outraged by the personal attacks launched against him.

be/come under attack:

Both candidates have come under attack for their health-care proposals.

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with attack
▪  bitter, concerted, fierce, harsh, scathing

3)

a) [countable] the beginning or return of an illness, or the period during which you have it

a severe asthma attack

attack of:

an attack of the flu

b) the beginning of a strong feeling or need, or the period during which you have it

a hunger attack

an anxiety attack

attack of:

an attack of spring fever

••

See:

heart attack

4) [countable] an attempt to score points against an opponent in a game or sport

Their attack in the final minutes wasn't enough to win the game.