surprise attack

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the end of this past February, he launched a surprise attack in the middle of negotiations, which were going pretty well.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Only weeks after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the emperor’s soldiers swept south through Malaya, often riding on cheap pushbikes in an assault dubbed “the bicycle blitzkrieg.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

If Venezuela or any other country launched a surprise attack on the United States, I wouldn’t want the courts to monkey-wrench our prompt response.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

Having caught Koretzky by the start of the final lap, he proved his mettle when the Frenchman sprung a surprise attack in the closing stages to take the lead again.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2024

“The Japanese in a predawn surprise attack have destroyed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. I repeat. The White House has confirmed that the Japanese...”

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson