ambush 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ambushnext
1
as in attack
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait revolutionaries laid in ambush for the king along the route his carriage would travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise thinking that he was getting into his assigned limousine, the diplomat did not realize that he was the victim of an ambush as he was being lured into his captor's car

Synonyms & Similar Words

ambush

2 of 2

verb

ˈam-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce ambush (audio)
as in to attack
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise the king's enemies planned to ambush the royal coach on the way to Paris and capture the king

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ambush
Noun
Hospital officials said the ambush killed around two dozen Pakistani soldiers and 16 to 35 Somalis, per The New York Times. — Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 After a 40-bank robbing spree, the saga of South Florida’s most infamous gangsters ended with a midnight police ambush on a bridge over Sebastian Inlet that left Ashley and his cohorts dead. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
The rapper was ambushed while taking a shower and the robbers sought cash along with expensive jewelry. — Marina Watts, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 They are ambushed by a vengeful crew and forced into bomb vests, compelled to commit a series of increasingly dangerous missions under threat of detonation. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
  1. attack
  2. trap
  3. assault
  4. snare
  5. waylay
  6. surprise
  7. capture
Noun
  • The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships are allegedly in protest of Elon Musk‘s efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government through pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Indeed, a recent IRS Chief Counsel memorandum shows that these traps can also ensnare the IRS.
    — Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This is the trap Chelsea fell into last season when Arsenal’s Ben White ghosted behind five of their players and volleyed a shot into the far corner.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of trap
Verb
  • According to police, Yolanda was captured on surveillance camera allegedly arguing with and physically assaulting Rebecca, then fleeing the residence before her wife’s mother found her.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Facebook) Yolanda was seen on surveillance video arguing with Rebecca and physically assaulting her on the day of the fatal stabbing.
    — Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Echoing the raw feelings of heartbreak, the album is stripped back, with sparse snares and cymbals in lieu of a full drumkit.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Bonham’s sister, Deborah, also provided the team with home movies from their childhood, which captured endearing footage of Baby Bonzo playing his first-ever drum kit with just a snare and cymbal.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
Definition of snare
Verb
  • In late November, Israeli forces opened fire on looters waiting to waylay trucks in Rafah, forcing them to retreat, according to an internal U.N. memo.
    — Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • On the corporate front, the timing of the showdown has not been ideal for Paramount, whose pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media has been waylaid by complaints about CBS News by President Donald Trump.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of waylay
Verb
  • The sell-down has surprised investors in Indonesia’s nickel industry which has grown rapidly from a 28% share of the global market for the metal to 63% over the last five years.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Moroney was surprised by her sudden inclusion in the conversation.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • The project aims to remove asphalt, build green spaces and capture more stormwater, all while reducing urban heat and creating safer paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Saturday Night Live alum Rachel Dratch captured a photo of them all onstage together.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of capture

Browse Nearby Words

ambuscading
ambush
ambushed
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Cite this Entry

“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ambush

Nglish: Translation of ambush for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ambush

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