melee attack
Hand-to-hand assault
A melee attack is a close-range strike in combat, as opposed to a ranged attack from a distance.
The term dominates gaming—video games, tabletop RPGs, and card games—where characters deal damage with swords, fists, or claws rather than bows or spells: Warriors excel at melee attacks but struggle against ranged enemies.
Outside gaming, the phrase occasionally describes real-world close combat.
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- slashAngled line or swipe
- critical hitBonus damage on lucky strike
- brawlDisorderly group fight
- punchStrike with fist
sword · fist · hand to hand · close combat · combat · swing · cleave · bash · thrust · close-quarters · skirmish · grapple · club · axe · dagger · bruise · hit points · blood
melee attackranged attack
Offensive action from distance
shooting · bombardment · air strike · archery · artillery strike
melee, attack, melees, attacks, attacked, attacking, attacker, attackers