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
Example 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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For more on how to protect yourself from this type of attack, see our advice on avoiding phishing scams.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
24 Jan. 2025
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The 90 Palestinian detainees and prisoners who were freed Sunday were women and minors, but upcoming releases of some 1,900 more are expected to include adult men who carried out deadly attacks on Israeli civilians.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
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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Avoid the trap of short-term gains that compromise long-term viability.—
Karlo Tanjuakio,
Forbes,
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 performers manipulate five batteries of drums, including timpani, snares, congas, bongos, tom-toms, and bass drums.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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With a total budget of barely $40,000 per year, CATS also helps search the national park for snares set by bushmeat poachers and carries out an extensive conservation education program designed primarily to teach people how to stay safe around elephants.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
8 Dec. 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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Keanu Reeves surprised fans with a cameo in the Severance premiere!—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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Foreigners captured and took over a dozen pandas from China over the next decade, according to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), whose logo happens to be a panda.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
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 3 Feb. 2025.
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