pounced

Attacked without warning

Pounced is the past tense of pounce—to spring or swoop suddenly to seize something, as a cat does on prey: The hawk pounced on the mouse.

Figuratively, to pounce is to act quickly on an opportunity or to attack someone's words: Critics pounced on the mayor's gaffe.

She pounced the moment tickets went on sale.

attack

strike

Forceful impact or stoppage

rush · offensive · aggression · onslaught · ambush · surprise · overwhelm · overpower · subdue · pin down

leap

spring

Recoiling metal spiral

  • lungeSudden forward movement
  • jumpPropel oneself airborne
  • boundSecured or destined

vault · dive · plunge · launch · catapult · propel · hurtle · swoop · descend · land

predator

cat

Small furry housepet

  • lionManed African feline
  • tigerLarge striped Asian feline
  • cheetahFastest land animal

panther · leopard · jaguar · cougar · lynx · bobcat · hawk · eagle · owl · falcon

ambush

stalk

Plant's vertical support

  • lurkHide while observing
  • crouchLow bent-knee stance
  • waitDelay until later

hide · prey · trap · snare · stealth · concealment · bushwhack · shadow · trail · pursue

opportunity

seize

Take suddenly, forcibly

snatch · jump on · act on · take advantage · alert · ready · eager · decisive · opportunistic · timely

sudden

swift

Moving with speed

abrupt · unexpected · without warning · split-second · rapid · flash · blur · explosive · spontaneous · impulsive

Categories
Opposites
predatory action

pouncedstalked

Followed stealthily with menace

prowled · crept · circled · lurked · waited

movement quality

pouncedcrept

Moved slowly, furtively

slunk · tiptoed · inched · crawled · ambled

decisiveness of action

pouncedhesitated

Paused from uncertainty

wavered · faltered · balked · retreated · fled

Family

pounce, pouncing, pounces, pouncer, pouncers

Familiarity
Top 10,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G