ambush

noun
UK: /ˈæm.bʊʃ/
US: /ˈæm.bʊʃ/

  1. A surprise attack by people hiding and waiting for an enemy.

    1. The soldiers fell into an ambush. [ ] [ ]
    2. The rebels planned an ambush for the government troops as they passed through the narrow valley. [ ] [ ]

  2. A trick where someone waits to surprise or suddenly criticize someone.

    1. The interview felt like an ambush. [ ] [ ]
    2. The lawyer set an ambush, hoping to catch the witness in a lie during cross-examination. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

trap lurk waylay ensnare
ambush verb

  1. To attack someone suddenly from a hidden place.

    1. They ambushed the patrol. [ ] [ ]
    2. The bandits ambushed the stagecoach as it crossed the bridge, stealing valuables. [ ] [ ]

  2. To wait in a hidden place in order to attack someone.

    1. We'll ambush them near the river. [ ] [ ]
    2. The police ambushed the suspect outside his apartment, taking him by surprise. [ ] [ ]
ambush adjective

  1. Relating to a sudden surprise attack, often from a hidden position.

    1. It was an ambush interview. [ ] [ ]
    2. The team prepared for an ambush situation while patrolling the forest region. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "ambush" in English means: A surprise attack by people hiding and waiting for an enemy., A trick where someone waits to surprise or suddenly criticize someone..

The phonetic transcription of "ambush" is /ˈæm.bʊʃ/ in British English and /ˈæm.bʊʃ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "ambush": trap, lurk, waylay, ensnare.

Example usage of "ambush": "The soldiers fell into an ambush.". More examples on the page.