attack

ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation

“an attack on inflation”

an offensive move in a sport or game

“they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning”

a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition

“an attack of diarrhea”

begin to injure

“The cancer cells are attacking his liver”

set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task

“I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed”

strong criticism

“he published an unexpected attack on my work”

the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)

“the film was sensitive to attack by acids”

attack in speech or writing

“The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker”

an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

“the attack began at dawn”

take the initiative and go on the offensive

“The Serbs attacked the village at night”

a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase

intense adverse criticism

“the government has come under attack”