attacking

1. launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare withExamples: "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"Synonyms: assail, attackAntonyms: defend

2. attack in speech or writingExamples: "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"Synonyms: assail, assault, attack, lash out, round, snipe

3. take the initiative and go on the offensiveExamples: "The Serbs attacked the village at night"; "The visiting team started to attack"Synonyms: aggress, attack

4. attack someone physically or emotionallyExamples: "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"Synonyms: assail, assault, attack, set on

5. set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a taskExamples: "I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed"Synonyms: attack

6. begin to injureExamples: "The cancer cells are attacking his liver"; "Rust is attacking the metal"Synonyms: attack