ambush
Strike from hiding
An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position.
Soldiers ambush enemy convoys; predators ambush prey.
The word covers both the attack and the position: They waited in ambush.
Figuratively, any unexpected confrontation qualifies: The reporter ambushed the senator with questions about the scandal.
Organism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- pounceSudden attack leap
- lurkingConcealed and watchful
hunt · strike · lunge · capture · perch · camouflage · concealment · crocodile
Irregular armed fighter
- flankSide of body
- firefightExchange of gunfire
- commandoSpecial operations soldier
- raidSudden armed incursion
reconnaissance · infiltration · encirclement · skirmish · assault · sabotage · sniper · engagement
Device for catching animals
- snareDevice for catching prey
- lureThing that tempts
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
- baitLure for prey
entrapment · deception · feint · diversion · ploy · ruse · booby-trap · tripwire
Kept out of sight
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- covertIntentionally concealed
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
invisibility · undetected · unseen · lurking · cover · foliage · undergrowth · shadow
Occurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startleFrighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
unprepared · jolt · swift · instant · unsuspecting · off-guard · sprung · pounced
predator
Organism that consumes others
lurking · hunt · strike · lunge · capture · perch · camouflage · concealment · crocodile · spider
guerrilla
Irregular armed fighter
raid · reconnaissance · infiltration · encirclement · skirmish · assault · sabotage · sniper · engagement · counterambush
trap
Device for catching animals
bait · entrapment · deception · feint · diversion · ploy · ruse · booby-trap · tripwire · pitfall
hidden
Kept out of sight
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- covertIntentionally concealed
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
disguise · invisibility · undetected · unseen · lurking · cover · foliage · undergrowth · shadow · blind
sudden
Occurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startleFrighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
blindside · unprepared · jolt · swift · instant · unsuspecting · off-guard · sprung · pounced · overwhelmed
- huntingdeer hunting, hunting rifle, hunters, tracking, hunting license
- plot eventsclimax, plot twist, twist, confrontation, battle scene
- strategiesflanking, feint, diversion, counterattack, defense
- trapstrap, bear trap, mousetrap, rat trap, ant trap
- combat tacticsflanking, feint, skirmish, firefight, counterattack
- jungle warfareguerrilla tactics, dense foliage, jungle boots, machete, infiltration
ambushfrontal assault
Attack from the front
direct attack · pitched battle · conventional warfare · declared war · siege
ambushfrankness
Direct, unguarded honesty
forewarning · advance notice · openness · transparency · candor
ambushdefend
Protect from harm
defense · resist · defensive position · retreat · withdrawal
- ambush predatorHunter that strikes from concealment
- ambush interviewSurprise on-camera confrontation
- ambush tacticsSurprise attacks from concealment
- ambush journalismSurprise confrontational reporting technique
ambushed, ambushes, ambushing, ambushers, ambusher, ambuscade