ambush
ambush Lexical Profile
ambush Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A surprise attack launched against an unsuspecting target from a concealed position.
"The wildlife photographer waited hours in the tall grass to capture the leopard's sudden ambush."
An unexpected confrontation with difficult or hostile questions, especially by journalists or political opponents.
"The executive was unprepared for the media ambush that awaited him outside the courthouse."
• verb
To make a surprise attack on someone or something from a concealed position.
"Many solitary predators rely on camouflage to ambush their prey rather than chasing it across open ground."
To confront someone suddenly and unexpectedly with pointed questions or demands.
"Reporters tried to ambush the senator in the hallway before the committee hearing began."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French embusche, from the verb embuschier ('to place in a wood'), derived from Vulgar Latin *imboscare ('to hide in the bushes'), from Latin in- ('in') and Medieval Latin boscus ('wood, thicket').