plural noun
Violent attempts to hurt people or damage places.
The police investigated three attacks in the city.
The attacks damaged several buildings.
American English
How to pronounce attacks
noun · verbB1Very common word
uhTAAKS
/əˈtʰæks/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of attack
Attacks can be a plural noun or the third-person singular verb form of attack; the context shows which one it is.
Violent attempts to hurt people or damage places.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
Strong criticisms of a person, idea, or plan.
The candidate faced personal attacks during the debate.
The proposal survived attacks from several experts.
plural noun
Sudden periods of illness or serious health problems.
The patient has frequent asthma attacks.
Her panic attacks became less frequent after treatment.
third-person singular verb
Uses violence against someone or something to hurt or damage them.
The dog attacks anyone who enters the yard.
The virus attacks healthy cells.
Useful expressions
to be attacked or strongly criticized
The company came under attack online.
a serious medical problem in which the heart does not get enough blood
He had a heart attack last year.
to begin an attack
The army launched an attack at dawn.
Related words & forms
In attacked and attacking, double the final k: attacked, attacking.