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atacar

[ah-tah-KAR]
verb
to attack
1. to assault or make an offensive move against someone or something
The army decided to attack at dawn.
O exército decidiu atacar ao amanhecer.
2. to criticize or speak negatively about someone or something
The journalist attacked the politician's policies.
O jornalista atacou as políticas do político.
3. to affect or have a harmful effect on something
The rust attacked the metal surface.
A ferrugem atacou a superfície metálica.
4. to lace or fasten (a shoe, boot, etc.)
He attacked his boots before the hike.
Ele atacou suas botas antes da caminhada.
Synonyms
agredirassaltarinvestircriticarcensurar
Antonyms
defenderprotegerelogiarlouvar

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
atacar
standard usage across all contexts
São Paulo
atacar
common in both military and metaphorical contexts
Rio de Janeiro
atacar
frequently used in sports commentary
Portugal
atacar
standard usage; also used in football/soccer terminology

Related Idioms & Phrases

atacar de frente - to attack head-on; to confront directly
atacar por trás - to attack from behind; to backstab
atacar o coração - to tug at one's heartstrings
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