1. violent actions intended to hurt or damage someone or something
2. sudden occurrences of illness or strong emotion
3. strong criticisms or verbal assaults

1. tries to hurt or damage someone or something violently
2. criticizes someone or something strongly

Examples

• The enemy launched several attacks on the city.
• She suffers from panic attacks when stressed.
• The newspaper published harsh attacks on the mayor’s policies.
• The lion attacks its prey at dawn.
• He always attacks his opponent’s arguments during debates.
• The virus attacks the immune system.
• The critic’s attacks on the film were unfair.