launching or engaging in a military or violent physical attack

the attacking troops met almost no opposition at first

(in sport) making a forceful attempt to score or otherwise gain an advantage

Leeds showed some good attacking play

take aggressive military action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force

in February the Germans attacked Verdun

the terrorists did not attack again until March

criticize or oppose fiercely and publicly

he attacked the government's defence policy

begin to deal with (a problem or task) in a determined and vigorous way

a plan of action to attack unemployment

(in sport) make a forceful attempt to score a goal or point or otherwise gain an advantage against an opposing team or player

Crystal Palace attacked swiftly down the left

(of a reagent or reactive species) approach and interact with (an atom, group, or bond in a molecule), thereby breaking a bond or forming a new bond

the nucleophile attacks the epoxide from the opposite side of the ring to the oxygen