German word

angreifen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanˌgʁaɪ̯fn̩/

Meaning

  • verbattack

Example

Die Soldaten greifen die Burg an.

The soldiers are attacking the castle.

Illustration for angreifen (attack)

More examples

Man sollte niemanden verbal angreifen.

No one should verbally attack anyone.

Core concept

A hand thrusting toward a defended target, with the same pressure extending to spoken criticism.

Common phrases

  • eine Idee angreifen

    attack an idea

  • ein Thema angreifen

    attack a topic

Similar words

kritisieren: To assess something negatively by highlighting its shortcomings.
beleidigen: To insult someone in a way that causes emotional hurt.
diffamieren: To circulate false damaging claims about someone's character or conduct.
attackieren: To make an offensive move against an opposing side in battle or conflict.

Definition in German

Mit körperlicher Gewalt oder Worten gegen jemanden oder etwas vorgehen, um ihm Schaden zuzufügen.

Word origin

Angreifen combines the separable prefix an- with inherited Germanic greifen, "to grasp," extending a reaching or seizing action to hostile physical and verbal action.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, an- separates from the verb and moves to the end, as in "Die Soldaten greifen die Burg an."

Other meanings

  • raidverb
  • criticizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • angreifendaggressiveadjective
  • Angriffattacknoun

Word lists with this word