attack

noun

1
a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
2
an offensive move in a sport or game
they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning
3
the act of attacking
attacks on women increased last year
they made an attempt on his life
4
ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
his approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons
an attack on inflation
5
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
the attack began at dawn
6
strong criticism
he published an unexpected attack on my work
7
intense adverse criticism
Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
the government has come under attack
8
the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
the film was sensitive to attack by acids
open to attack by the elements
9
a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition
an attack of diarrhea

1
begin to injure
The cancer cells are attacking his liver
Rust is attacking the metal
2
set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task
I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed
3
attack in speech or writing
The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker

Also useful for “attack”:Scrabble— High-value letters — see what it scores