English · Word Candidate

ambush

/ˈæm.bʊʃ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: ambushes · ambushing · ambushed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack or kill by surprise.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An attack launched from a concealed position.

Noun

Examples

Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege / Or ambush from the deep.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Verb

Examples

The contrast with the start was profound. In the opening 40 minutes Löw’s team had been ambushed here, the world champions run into a state of breathless trauma by a thrillingly vibrant Mexico attack.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “ambush” mean?

The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack or kill by surprise.

Is “ambush” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.