n.
Function: noun
1 an act of attacking especially in the form of an attempt to injure, destroy, or defame FF1C; insecticides that are essential for successful attack on insect pests FF1E;
Synonyms: aggression, assailment, assault, offense, offensive, onfall, onset, onslaught
Related Words: charge, descent, drive, foray, push, raid, sally, sortie; blitz, incursion, inroad, surprise; action, battle
Contrasted Words: championing, justification, protection, support, vindication; opposition, resistance; defending, guarding, protecting, sheltering
Antonyms: defense
2 action or an attitude in a struggle that calls for or is opposed by defense FF1C; his policy had always been one of attack FF1E;
Synonyms: aggression, aggressiveness, belligerence, combativeness, fight, pugnacity
Related Words: bellicosity, chauvinism, jingoism, warmongering; activation, militarization, mobilization, muster
Contrasted Words: submissiveness, yielding
3 an episode of bodily or mental disorder FF1C; a sudden attack of dizziness FF1E;
Synonyms: access, fit, seizure, spell, throe, turn; compare SIEGE
Related Words: outbreak, paroxysm, spasm; affection, ailment, complaint, disease, disorder