a barrage of attacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a barrage of attacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of aggressive actions or criticisms directed at someone or something, often in a rapid succession. Example: "The politician faced a barrage of attacks from the media following the controversial statement he made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the perceived front-runner, he is drawing a barrage of attacks from his rivals.

The New York Times

The business mogul has responded with a barrage of attacks on Twitter and in television interviews.

The Washington Post

And his strong debate appearance in Iowa on Saturday, in which he faced a barrage of attacks, showed his resiliency.

The New York Times

Since Mr. Huckabee's success in Iowa, however, his campaign has faced a barrage of attacks on his conservative credentials.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney faced a barrage of attacks over the issue on Sunday, as well as new demands, even from Republicans, that he release more tax returns.

The New York Times

When Aetna tried in 2007 to disallow payment for anesthesiologists delivering propofol during colonoscopies, the insurer backed down after a barrage of attacks from anesthesiologists and endoscopy groups.

The New York Times - Health

UK defence contractor BAE Systems reported in March that Ukraine was facing a barrage of attacks from digital spies as tensions escalated between the two countries.

The Guardian - Tech

Switzerland has faced a barrage of attacks over its status as a tax haven, prompting the country to relax its cherished bank secrecy to comply with international rules.

The New York Times

Their comments ran into a barrage of attacks from Islamic conservatives, who demand absolute obedience to the leader.Freedom of expression is by and large limited to the confines of the establishment.

The Economist

The pattern is familiar: (1) positive commercials from Mr. Romney's campaign joined by (2) a barrage of attacks from the "super PAC" backing him, with (3) campaign advisers and surrogates reinforcing with negative commentary.

The New York Times

He has also sustained a barrage of attacks by Mr. Turner, a Roman Catholic, who has tried to portray him as being insufficiently critical of Mr. Obama's stance on Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a barrage of attacks" when you want to emphasize the intensity and overwhelming nature of multiple attacks or criticisms occurring in quick succession.

Common error

Avoid using "a barrage of attacks" when describing a single, isolated event or criticism. This phrase is best suited for situations involving multiple, rapid-fire occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a barrage of attacks" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where someone or something is subjected to a high volume of aggressive actions, either physical or verbal. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often seen describing situations of intense conflict or criticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a barrage of attacks" is a frequently used noun phrase that effectively conveys a large number of aggressive actions or criticisms. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. It is best used when describing multiple, rapid-fire attacks and is suitable for neutral to formal registers. Alternatives include phrases such as "a wave of assaults" or "a hail of criticism", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relentless stream of attacks

Emphasizes the continuous and unending nature of the attacks.

a wave of assaults

Highlights the sequential and overwhelming nature of the attacks.

a series of onslaughts

Conveys a sense of continuous and forceful attacks.

a hail of criticism

Focuses more on verbal criticism rather than physical attacks; uses "hail" to emphasize intensity.

an onslaught of criticism

Similar to "a hail of criticism", but with even more intensity

a storm of protest

Emphasizes public outcry and opposition, differing from direct aggression.

a fusillade of accusations

Highlights a rapid and intense series of accusations.

a torrent of abuse

Focuses on verbal abuse and insults being delivered rapidly.

an avalanche of condemnations

Emphasizes the overwhelming and widespread nature of the condemnations.

a tirade of denouncements

Highlights a long angry speech of criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "a barrage of attacks" in a sentence?

You can use "a barrage of attacks" to describe a situation where someone or something is facing many criticisms or assaults, such as "The company faced "a barrage of attacks" after the scandal was revealed."

What are some alternatives to "a barrage of attacks"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "a wave of assaults", "a hail of criticism", or "a relentless stream of attacks", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a barrage of attacks" in formal writing?

Yes, "a barrage of attacks" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reporting or analytical contexts, where it accurately describes a situation involving numerous and intense assaults or criticisms.

What's the difference between "a barrage of attacks" and "a series of attacks"?

"A barrage of attacks" implies a rapid and overwhelming succession of attacks, while "a series of attacks" simply indicates multiple attacks occurring, possibly over an extended period.