ambush

/ˈæm.bʊʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæm.bʊʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈam-ˌbu̇sh/ (ame, mw) · /ˈæmbʊʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæmbʊʃ/ (ame, ipa)

ambushpresent simple I / you / we / they
ambushes3rd person singular
ambushing-ing form
ambushedpast simple

1.動詞及物C1

釋義

to wait in a hidden place and then attack a person or group without warning

例句

Rebel fighters ambushed the supply convoy on a narrow mountain road at dawn.

ambush + convoy

Bandits ambushed Camila and her driver near the border gate.

同義詞

waylay
closer in meaning because it also suggests waiting for someone on their route
attack
broader and does not imply hiding first
raid
usually focuses on a quick planned attack on a place rather than catching people as they move

反義詞

protect
means keeping people safe instead of attacking them by surprise
warn
means giving danger information rather than striking without warning

文法句型

ambush somebody

ambush a convoy

be ambushed

用法筆記

Object is usually the people, vehicle, or group being attacked. Frequently passive in news and military writing: be ambushed.

常見錯誤

❌The rebels ambushed on the patrol at night.

✅The rebels ambushed the patrol at night.

💡ambush takes the target directly and does not use on as a verb.

ambushsingular
ambushesplural

1.名詞C1

釋義

a surprise attack from a hidden place before the target can react

例句

Soraya escaped the ambush and warned the other trucks by radio.

escape an ambush

Three officers died in an ambush outside the village school.

同義詞

assault
broader and does not necessarily involve attackers hiding first
raid
often suggests entering a place quickly for a clear purpose
attack
the most general word and not limited to surprise attacks

文法句型

an ambush

be caught in an ambush

escape an ambush

用法筆記

Names the attack event itself, the one people get caught in. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which focuses on the hidden waiting that precedes the attack.

常見錯誤

❌The soldiers did ambush on the road.

✅The soldiers carried out an ambush on the road.

💡as a noun, ambush needs a support verb such as carry out, stage, or survive.

2.名詞C1

釋義

a period of staying out of sight until it is time to launch a surprise attack

例句

The scouts lay in ambush above the trail until the trucks arrived.

lie in ambush

At dusk, the fighters set an ambush near the dry riverbed.

set an ambush

同義詞

trap
can describe a hidden plan for catching someone, but it is broader and not always a violent attack
stakeout
focuses on waiting and watching, often by police, without necessarily attacking

文法句型

set an ambush

lie in ambush

stay in ambush

用法筆記

Frequently appears in fixed patterns such as set an ambush or lie in ambush. Focus is on the hidden waiting and preparation, not on the attack event itself (sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌The troops stayed on ambush all night.

✅The troops stayed in ambush all night.

💡this fixed pattern uses in, not on.

ambush

ambush — verb

1. to wait in a hidden place and then attack a person or group without warning

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

ambush — noun

1. a surprise attack from a hidden place before the target can react

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. a period of staying out of sight until it is time to launch a surprise attack

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤