surprise attack
Strike without warning
A surprise attack is an assault launched without warning, intended to catch the target unprepared.
The element of surprise provides tactical advantage—the attacked party has no time to mount defenses or escape: The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II.
The phrase applies to military operations, sports strategy, and interpersonal confrontations alike.
- waylayIntercept to confront
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- raidSudden armed incursion
Operation Barbarossa · trap · bushwhack · jump on · out of nowhere · blitzkrieg · onslaught · preemptive strike · Pearl Harbor · onset · lightning strike · shock · hit-and-run · Tet Offensive · false flag · Mongol invasions · ambuscade · behind enemy lines
- military aggressioninvasion, offensive war, first strike, preemptive strike, border incursion
- military attacksair strike, bombing raid, commando raid, guerrilla raid, night raid
- tactical victoryambush, flanking maneuver, encirclement, breakthrough, rout
- warfarebattle, combat, war, armed conflict, military strategy
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- tacticsmaneuver, gambit, ambush, counterstrike, flanking
surprise attackdefensive stand
Effort to resist attack
defensive action · counterattack · holding action · rearguard action · strategic retreat
surprise attackpeace negotiation
Dialogue to end conflict
diplomatic resolution · ceasefire · truce · armistice · treaty
attack, surprise, surprised, surprising, attacked, attacker, attacking, attacks, surprisingly