surprise attack

/sə(r)ˌpraɪz əˌtæk/

Other forms: surprise attacks

Definitions of surprise attack

1. noun

   an attack without warning
   synonyms: coup de main

   types:

   terrorist attack

   a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims

   ambuscade, ambush, lying in wait, trap

   the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise

   pre-emptive strike

   a surprise attack that is launched in order to prevent the enemy from doing it to you

   dry-gulching

   the act of killing from ambush

   type of:

   attack, onrush, onset, onslaught

   (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)