ambush 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ambushnext
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

ambush

2 of 2

verb

ˈam-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce ambush (audio)
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

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.
Recent Examples of ambush
Noun
Deputies already searching the area arrived at the home within one minute, and the man opened fire on responding officers in what Mikesell described as an ambush. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026 Social Media Capture The underlying tactic is not new, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces having previously used armed FPV drones to conduct roadside ambushes. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
Don’t ambush passengers while the aisles are crowded or before everyone knows which seats are occupied. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 Lying in wait means a suspect waited for or hid from victims in order to ambush them, and as an allegation it’s meant to show premeditation. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambush
  1. attack
  2. trap
  3. assault
  4. surprise
  5. snare
  6. waylay
  7. capture
Noun
  • The country's armed forces said that it was targeted by a missile attack that originated from Iranian territory.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Speaking with the New York Times in December, Teresa Griffin, a wildlife manager with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, shared that the group traps and releases about 60 beavers a year.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • From plates and knives not being clean to flies stuck on traps, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week.
    — Joseph Hernandez August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of trap
Verb
  • Two other men similarly charged with assaulting agents saw their charges dropped soon after they were filed.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • He was accused of assaulting a 29-year-old woman the day before.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Imagine Bret’s surprise to find Robert waiting for him on his bed, having been questioned again thanks to Bret’s accusations.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Corle, taken completely by surprise, was sideswiped by the massive bear and sent tumbling face first into a thick clump of brush.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprise
Noun
  • The second was a one-handed snare in the corner of the end zone in the opening minutes of the third quarter to give Mandarin a double-digit lead in an eventual 38-21 win over Hollywood McArthur.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
  • On the final note, when the sticks hit the snare for the last time, Ryan dove on top of the crowd.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of snare
Verb
  • What had been perhaps Buxton’s finest overall season has been waylaid by a hip impingement that’s twice landed him on the IL and wrecked his production even when on the field since the start of July.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Or the family might have simply gotten waylaid by other plans.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Definition of waylay
Verb
  • An Arkansas State Police trooper was captured on dashcam footage yanking the passenger of a vehicle by his hair and punching him in the face after a high-speed chase that ended in the streets of Blytheville.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Domestic suppliers are projected to capture 38% of the market by value in 2028, compared with 26% last year.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of capture

Browse Nearby Words

ambuscading
ambush
ambushed
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Cite this Entry

“Ambush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambush. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ambush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ambush

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