attacking
Pronunciation: [əˈtækɪŋ]
Context: “conflict”
(verb) to try to hurt someone or something, usually in a fight or argument. If a person is attacking, they are trying to get at someone or something in a physical or verbal way.
Example
The soldier was attacking the enemy base to protect his country.
Example
She was not attacking her friend; they were just having a serious discussion.
Example
Why are you attacking your opponent so fiercely?
Context: “sports”
(verb) to try to score points against the other team. In games like soccer or basketball, when a team is attacking, they are moving the ball towards their opponent's goal.
Example
The team is attacking well and looks like they might score a goal soon.
Example
They are not attacking effectively; they keep losing the ball to the other team.
Example
Are we attacking the other team's defense hard enough?
Context: “criticism”
(verb) to speak about someone or something in a very negative way. When someone is attacking in this sense, they are trying to damage that person's reputation or ideas.
Example
The writer is attacking the problem of pollution with strong arguments in her article.
Example
He wasn't attacking her ideas; he was just offering some constructive feedback.
Example
Why are they attacking the policy without understanding it?
Context: “health”
(verb) when a disease or problem begins to affect someone unpleasantly. If a health issue is attacking a person, it means it is beginning to harm them.
Example
The medication is helping to stop the disease from attacking his body.
Example
The flu is not attacking her this season; she has stayed very healthy.
Example
How quickly is the virus attacking those who are infected?