Collocations for attack - noun
1. violence against sb
ADJ.
brutal, frenzied, horrific, savage, serious, vicious, violent | unprovoked | racist, sexual | arson, gun, knife
an increase in knife attacks on police officers
an increase in knife attacks on police officers
QUANT.
series, spate, wave
VERB + ATTACK
carry out
Two teenagers carried out a frenzied attack on a local shopkeeper.
Two teenagers carried out a frenzied attack on a local shopkeeper.
be subjected to
He was subjected to a violent attack.
He was subjected to a violent attack.
ATTACK + VERB
happen, occur, take place
Where did the attack happen?
Where did the attack happen?
PREP.
~ against
vicious attacks against pensioners
vicious attacks against pensioners
~ by
an attack by an armed gang
an attack by an armed gang
~ on
an attack on a bus driver
an attack on a bus driver
PHRASES
a victim of an attack
2. act of violence in war
ADJ.
all-out, full-scale, major | sustained | surprise | retaliatory | mock | flank, frontal | enemy, guerrilla, terrorist | air, bomb, missile, mortar, nuclear
QUANT.
series
The southern border towns have suffered a series of attacks.
The southern border towns have suffered a series of attacks.
VERB + ATTACK
carry out, launch, lead, make, mount, spearhead
The soldiers mounted an all-out attack on the village.
The soldiers mounted an all-out attack on the village.
come under, suffer
They came under sustained attack from the air.
They came under sustained attack from the air.
repel, repulse, resist | survive, withstand
Most of the population would stand little chance of surviving a nuclear attack.
Most of the population would stand little chance of surviving a nuclear attack.
press home, renew
Bombers pressed home their attack, causing severe damage to harbour installations.
Bombers pressed home their attack, causing severe damage to harbour installations.
ATTACK + VERB
happen, occur, take place
The attack took place under cover of darkness.
The attack took place under cover of darkness.
fail, succeed
PREP.
under ~
The province has been under attack from the rebels.
The province has been under attack from the rebels.
~ against
attacks against civilians
attacks against civilians
~ by
an attack by rebel forces
an attack by rebel forces
~ on
an attack on enemy positions
an attack on enemy positions
3. criticism
ADJ.
bitter, blistering, fierce, outspoken, savage, scathing, scurrilous, stinging, vigorous | personal
Is this a personal attack on the president, or a criticism of the government?
Is this a personal attack on the president, or a criticism of the government?
concerted | verbal
VERB + ATTACK
deliver, go on the, launch, make, mount, unleash
Doctors have gone on the attack, accusing the government of incompetence.
Doctors have gone on the attack, accusing the government of incompetence.
come under, provoke
All politicians come under attack for their views. | The government''s decision has provoked an attack from leaders of the health service.
All politicians come under attack for their views. | The government''s decision has provoked an attack from leaders of the health service.
PREP.
~ on/upon
an attack on my integrity
an attack on my integrity
PHRASES
a/the line of attack
The first line of attack is often name-calling.
The first line of attack is often name-calling.
open to attack
He has laid himself wide open to attack.
He has laid himself wide open to attack.
4. sudden illness
ADJ.
acute, sudden | bad, nasty, severe | fatal | mild, slight | recurrent | asthma, heart, panic
a fatal heart attack
a fatal heart attack
VERB + ATTACK
experience, have, suffer (from)
He suffers from attacks of anxiety.
He suffers from attacks of anxiety.
bring on, cause, trigger
a heart attack brought on by stress
a heart attack brought on by stress
ATTACK + VERB
happen, occur, take place
PREP.
~ of
a sudden attack of nerves
a sudden attack of nerves