verb

 

violence to use violence to hurt or damage someone or something

He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.

 

criticize to strongly criticize someone or something

She attacked the government's new education policy.

 

disease If a disease, chemical, etc attacks someone or something, it damages them.

The virus attacks the central nervous system.

 

sport If players in a team attack, they move forward to try to score points, goals, etc.