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
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambush
Annie Correal, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Many in Charlotte recall the April 29 fatal ambush of police officers that shocked the city, prompting a period of widespread mourning.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024
Investigators believe the five individuals conspired to ambush and kill Mirshojae.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambush 
Noun
Days earlier, two American citizens and a Mexican national were shot dead in the state of Durango in an ambush that also left an American teenager critically injured.
—Annie Correal, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Many in Charlotte recall the April 29 fatal ambush of police officers that shocked the city, prompting a period of widespread mourning.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
That gap becomes dramatically clear in cases where players choose to act against their own interests, deliberately allowing their characters to be swindled, ambushed, or even killed.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024
Investigators believe the five individuals conspired to ambush and kill Mirshojae.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
Noun
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An even more pointed distinction comes when audio of a news report is layered over images of memorials and prayers for the victims of the mosque attack.—
Caryn James,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
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For more on how to protect yourself from this type of attack, see our advice on avoiding phishing scams.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Different plants, like nasturtiums, act as effective trap crops by being the more desirable plant for common garden pests — leaving the trap plant to be treated or removed over the one producing food.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
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The rabbit was caught hopping around on camera traps, seemingly unaware that it was lost at all.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer and civil disorder.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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On camera, one of the leaders of Freedom Corner was shouting out the names of people who were going to be released, including many prisoners who had been convicted of violently assaulting police officers.—
David Gilbert,
WIRED,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ebullient thrum of staccato snares, thumping sousaphones, and tramping shoes all acting in unison filled the gray morning air in the parking lot outside Angel Stadium recently.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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That didn’t prevent the first tribal project to come along — the Yakama Nation’s — from getting caught in a snare of bureaucracy.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
20 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Linebacker Matt Milano delivered three quarterback hits, waylaid receiver Rashod Bateman on a third-down play to force a field goal and deflected Jackson’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt to tight end Isaiah Likely late in the third quarter.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
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As his teammates thrived, Mitchell was waylaid by illness against the Thunder, shooting only 3-16.—
Sam Allard,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Here are the 14 most shocking snubs and surprises from the 2025 Academy Awards shortlist.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
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The upside earnings surprised many, and consequently, the stock popped.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The team started to experiment with its strength, shooting fibers to capture and lift objects including a cocoon, a 2-gram stainless-steel bolt and a 5-gram wood block from 12 centimeters away.—
Sophie Charara,
WIRED,
24 Jan. 2025
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Bold ideas will always capture attention, but only those grounded in sustainable business models and operational resilience will stand the test of time.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ambush
Cite this Entry
“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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