attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.
plan to attack the town at dawn
assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.
assailed the enemy with artillery fire
assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.
commandos assaulted the building from all sides
bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.
bombarded the city nightly
storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.
preparing to storm the fortress
Example Sentences
Noun The sky got dark and it looked like a storm was coming. a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow Verb The mob stormed through the streets. She yelled at us and stormed off. He stormed out of the room. She stormed into the office. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
City officials said a storm packing wind gusts of 60 mph hit around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and in a news release, area service provider Mohave Electric Cooperative reported microbursts of up to 80 mph. Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 Still, as Russian interest in the war wanes, many simply see it as a storm to be weathered before life returns to normal, the Carnegie report found. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Many have blamed the events on the rampant and chaotic development in the city where lakes and storm water drains have been filled to make way for glitzy buildings and posh homes. Saritha Rai, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 In 2021, when a winter storm left 40,000 residents without drinking water for weeks, the city asked the state Legislature for $47 million for emergency repairs. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Corps officials said the easements were needed as a precaution, in case a storm damaged private areas of the beach. Chris Kuo And Lauren Peace, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The storm named Earl became the second hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic season Tuesday evening, forecast to brush by Bermuda later this week. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Earl became a hurricane late Tuesday and has strengthened into a Category 2 storm in 24 hours. Leigh Morgan, al, 7 Sep. 2022 Roughly 80 percent of ocean pollution begins inland and flows through gutters, storm drains and watersheds to the coast, city officials said. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022
Verb
Their plan was to storm a dinner party attended by Britain’s leading political figures, murder the attendees and then lead a swift popular uprising to topple the government. Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 Trump incited a violent, deadly mob to storm the Capitol and stop the Electoral count.San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2022 This past year, the National Guard responded to storm relief needs and even helped administer COVID-19 vaccines. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2022 The viral video shows Phillips' teammates storm out of the dugout and pile on top of Woodward. Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2022 That’s what made his decision to storm the stage and assault comedian Chris Rock in the middle of Hollywood’s biggest night both uncharacteristic and deeply disturbing. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Mar. 2022 And yet Democrats didn’t storm the Capitol and smash through the windows.Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2022 Now, Mayfield is chomping at the bit for a chance to storm back and hoist the Browns into first place in the AFC North.cleveland, 19 Dec. 2021 Once the trophy presentation was over, West Linn students were allowed to storm the court and celebrate with their classmates.oregonlive, 6 Nov. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German sturm storm, Old English styrian to stir
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a