1
as in attacks
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
Relevance
2
as in traps
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
as in assaults
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
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Recent Examples of ambushes
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
The recent Hamas ambushes have also raised growing concerns among Israeli military officials that more soldiers could be captured.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
The mission has also lost two members of its force in gang ambushes; while one has been confirmed dead the other is still been regarded as missing even though local media has reported him as dead.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
The recent Hamas ambushes have also raised growing concerns among Israeli military officials that more soldiers could be captured.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambushes
Noun
-
Democrats like Bell continue to defend Israel from progressive attacks.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Terrorists expanded their use of the internet for a wide range of activities, including planning attacks, radicalization and recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and fundraising.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unfortunately, this is just one of many decision traps a team can fall into out of pressure and respect, especially in times of uncertainty.—
Lindsay Phillips,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The traps, filled with water and detergent, captured mostly Diptera (flies) and Hemiptera (true bugs)—collected weekly during 15 summer seasons.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If that surprises you, don’t feel alarmed.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, a relative, neighbor or daily contact will do something that surprises you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambushes. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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