as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against
the muggers pounced on the unsuspecting tourists as soon as they rounded the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pounce (on or upon)
Verb
-
Trump has reportedly used denialism – about Joe Biden winning the 2020 election and that Jan. 6 entailed pro-Trump protesters violently assaulting police officers – to help vet appointees for senior national security and intelligence posts.—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025 -
In both cases, the women were at bars in Denver, got separated from their groups and were assaulted in a dark-colored car by a white man, according to the arrest affidavit.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
When Jensen then decides to go long, Collins and Pinnock move towards the near post and Wissa adjusts his position to be able to attack the second ball.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The Trump administration has attacked DEI on college campuses with particular zeal, threatening investigations, lawsuits and canceled federal funding.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this week, the U.N. humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) reported that armed men had raided at least two hospitals in North Kivu’s capital Goma, abducting dozens of patients.—
Paul Tilsley,
Fox News,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Gregorios Bishara, priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, was martyred this morning at the hands of the pro-HTS armed factions that raided the city of Baniyas.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
All passengers were asked to remain seated, but Augustin allegedly stormed to the front of the plane while holding onto his sister.—
Pilar Arias,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
-
In just his second year, using the transfer portal as well as anyone to accelerate the rebuild, Pitino’s Johnnies stormed through the Big East, matching UConn’s record for wins in the conference (18) which was set during the Huskies’ historically dominant 2023-24 season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And in the last year- and-a-half, last 18 months, the Houthis have struck or attacked 174 Naval vessels of the United States, attacking the U.S. Navy directly 174 times.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Pounce (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pounce%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share