to set upon (somebody or something) forcefully in order to damage, injure, or destroy them; to assault

to take the initiative against (the opposing team, etc) in a game or contest

to assail (somebody) with unfriendly or bitter words or hostile criticism

said of a disease, etc: to affect or act on (the body or a part of it) injuriously

to set to work on (a task, etc), esp vigorously

to make an attack

The away team never attacked with any conviction

the act of attacking; an assault

(often + on) a belligerent or antagonistic action or verbal assault

the beginning of destructive action, e.g. by a chemical agent

a fit of sickness or disease, often of a recurrent type

a heart attack

a vigorous start made on some undertaking

the act or manner of beginning or playing a musical passage or composition, esp if decisive and clear in tone