attack dog

noun

1
: a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
2
: a person noted for harsh, personal, and usually public verbal attacks against others
a political attack dog
usually hyphenated when used before another noun
attack-dog tactics

Examples of attack dog in a Sentence

The charges against the candidate were made by one of the governor's attack dogs. his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At the same time, Republicans recognized Vance's willingness to serve as Trump's attack dog against Harris and go toe-to-toe with adversaries. Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024 Vance stepped out of his role as former President Trump's campaign trail attack dog. Erin Doherty, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024 The speech reflected his role in the campaign: an attack dog deployed most often to the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where the campaign believes its apostate of elite culture connects with the white working-class voters who may decide the election. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024 Zelizer said both Walz and Vance will look to carry out their roles of attack dogs for their respective campaigns. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attack dog 

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attack dog was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near attack dog

Cite this Entry

“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attack%20dog. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

attack dog

noun
: a dog trained to attack upon receiving a command or upon seeing a certain object (as a person)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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