pounce
Leap and seize
Pounce is to spring or swoop suddenly to seize something, as a cat pounces on a mouse or a hawk on prey.
The word extends to any swift, aggressive action: She pounced on the opportunity, Critics pounced on his mistake.
A pounce is an instance of pouncing: The cat made its pounce.
Surprise strike from concealment
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- assaultViolent offensive act
- lungeSudden forward movement
- swoopRapid downward plunge
charge · leap · spring · tackle · grab · seize · snatch · capture
Sudden springing movement
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
- boundSecured or destined
- lungeSudden forward movement
swoop · dive · dart · vault · launch · hurtle · thrust · catapult
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
swoop · charge · leap · spring · tackle · grab · seize · snatch · capture · pin
leap
Sudden springing movement
lunge · swoop · dive · dart · vault · launch · hurtle · thrust · catapult · propel
stalk
Plant's vertical support
hunt · predator · claws · talons · stealth · pursuit · quarry · crouch · watch · wait
seize
Take suddenly, forcibly
- grabSeize abruptly
- capitalizeMake a letter large
- exploitNotable act or abuse
jump on · act · react · timing · chance · moment · opening · advantage · quick · alert
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- capture methodsnetting, trapping, snaring, lasso, ambush
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- Jumpshop, leap, bound, skip, bounce
- motion soundsswoosh, whoosh, swish, rustle, rumble
- playful movementsfrolic, gambol, romp, caper, cavort