# bombard

**Pronunciation:** /bɒmˈbɑːd/ · bom-BARD

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning

To attack a place or person continuously with bombs, shells, or other weapons, or to direct so many questions, criticisms, or requests at someone that they find it difficult to deal with them.

## Examples

- The army decided to bombard the enemy fortress.
- Reporters bombarded the politician with difficult questions.
- The city was bombarded for days during the war.

## Synonyms

- attack — General term for hostile action.
- shell — Specifically using artillery shells.
- assail — Can be physical or verbal, often with strong criticism.
- besiege — To surround a place to force its surrender, often involving bombardment.

## Antonyms

- defend — To protect against attack.
- protect — To keep safe from harm.

## Common patterns

- bombard with — To direct a continuous stream of something (bombs, questions, etc.) at someone or something. — The enemy began to bombard the city with artillery.
- bombard someone/something — To attack someone or something with continuous weapons fire. — The soldiers were ordered to bombard the enemy position.

## Collocations

- bombard with questions — The press bombarded the celebrity with questions about her private life.
- bombard with requests — The charity bombarded potential donors with requests for money.
- bombard with criticism — The new policy was bombarded with criticism from opposition parties.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/bombarding

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