Attacks: meaning, definitions and examples

General term used to describe aggressive actions intended to harm or damage someone or something. Can refer to physical, verbal, or cyber actions.

• The city faced multiple terrorist attacks last year.
• He launched a personal attack on his colleague during the meeting.

Refers specifically to physical attacks intending to cause bodily harm. Often used in legal and criminal contexts.

• The victim reported the assault to the police.
• There was an increase in sexual assaults in the neighborhood.

Used in military or strategic contexts to describe coordinated, aggressive actions taken to gain an advantage over an opponent.

• The army launched a major offensive against the insurgents.
• The general planned an offensive to recapture the lost territory.

Describes targeted attacks, often with precision and planning. Can refer to military actions, worker protests, or hitting someone or something.

• The air force conducted several air strikes on enemy positions.
• Workers organized a strike to demand better wages and working conditions.

Commonly used in a broad sense to describe any aggressive action against a system or network. It could be a targeted effort by hackers or a general attempt to exploit vulnerabilities.

• The company faced several cyber attacks last year.
• They are working on preventing future attacks on their database.

Informal term referring to unauthorized access to systems, typically done by hackers. It can carry a negative connotation and often implies a certain level of skill or ingenuity.

• The hack exposed vulnerabilities in the company’s software.
• Social media accounts are often targets for hacks.

Specifically refers to incidents where unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive data or systems. This term is heavily used in the context of data security and privacy laws.

• Each data breach puts customer information at risk.
• The security breach resulted in the theft of thousands of records.

Used to describe unauthorized access, typically with the implication of unwelcome or forceful entry. It can involve both physical and digital contexts.

• The firewall is designed to prevent intrusions from outside threats.
• The company detected multiple intrusions in their network last month.

General term used to describe acts of aggression or attempts to harm someone or something. Suitable in both physical and metaphorical situations.

• The country is preparing for potential cyber attacks.
• The new policy has faced numerous attacks from critics.

Typically refers to a violent physical attack or an attempt to cause harm. Legally, it is used to describe a crime involving physical violence.

• He was arrested for assault and battery.
• The woman reported an assault to the police.

can refer to both physical hits and metaphorical blows. Often used in the context of targeted attacks, such as military strikes, or labor strikes when workers stop working to protest.

• The military conducted an air strike on the enemy base.
• The workers went on strike for better wages.

Often used in a formal or literary context to describe a sudden and violent attack. Can also refer to verbal attacks or harsh criticism.

• The knight was assailed by bandits on his journey.
• She was assailed by doubts about her decision.