ADJ

brutal, frenzied, horrific, savage, serious, vicious, violent
unprovoked
racist, sexual
arson, gun, knife
an increase in knife attacks on police officers

QUANT

series, spate, wave

VERB + ATTACK

carry out
Two teenagers carried out a frenzied attack on a local shopkeeper
be subjected to
He was subjected to a violent attack

ATTACK + VERB

happen, occur, take place
Where did the attack happen?

PREP

~ against
vicious attacks against pensioners
~ by
an attack by an armed gang
~ on
an attack on a bus driver

PHRASES

a victim of an attack

ADJ

all-out, full-scale, major
sustained
surprise
retaliatory
mock
flank, frontal
enemy, guerrilla, terrorist
air, bomb, missile, mortar, nuclear

QUANT

series
The southern border towns have suffered a series of attacks

VERB + ATTACK

carry out, launch, lead, make, mount, spearhead
The soldiers mounted an all-out attack on the village
come under, suffer
They came under sustained attack from the air
repel, repulse, resist
survive, withstand
Most of the population would stand little chance of surviving a nuclear attack
press home, renew
Bombers pressed home their attack, causing severe damage to harbour installations

ATTACK + VERB

happen, occur, take place
The attack took place under cover of darkness
fail, succeed

PREP

under ~
The province has been under attack from the rebels
~ against
attacks against civilians
~ by
an attack by rebel forces
~ on
an attack on enemy positions

ADJ

bitter, blistering, fierce, outspoken, savage, scathing, scurrilous, stinging, vigorous
personal
Is this a personal attack on the president, or a criticism of the government?
concerted
verbal

VERB + ATTACK

deliver, go on the, launch, make, mount, unleash
Doctors have gone on the attack, accusing the government of incompetence
come under, provoke
All politicians come under attack for their views. The government's decision has provoked an attack from leaders of the health service

PREP

~ on/upon
an attack on my integrity

PHRASES

a/the line of attack
The first line of attack is often name-calling
open to attack
He has laid himself wide open to attack

ADJ

acute, sudden
bad, nasty, severe
fatal
mild, slight
recurrent
asthma, heart, panic
a fatal heart attack

VERB + ATTACK

experience, have, suffer (from)
He suffers from attacks of anxiety
bring on, cause, trigger
a heart attack brought on by stress

ATTACK + VERB

happen, occur, take place

PREP

~ of
a sudden attack of nerves

ADV

brutally, savagely, viciously, violently
She was brutally attacked by two men
physically

PREP

with
He attacked her with a knife

ADV

fiercely, savagely, sharply, strongly, vigorously

PREP

for
The police have been strongly attacked for not taking immediate action