a brazen attack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brazen attack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an audacious or shameless act of aggression or violence. Example: "The news reported a brazen attack on the embassy that shocked the entire nation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

IT WAS certainly a brazen attack.

The Economist

It sees Rove's group as a brazen attack on the Tea Party movement, which it is.

The New York Times

Days later, insurgents staged a brazen attack on the military's positions in north Sinai.

The Guardian

Its vague evocation of opulent Venetian motifs was a brazen attack on the prevailing Modernist orthodoxy.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's unprecedented in Nigerian history to have such a brazen attack in downtown Abuja," the diplomat said.

The New York Times

Then the Taliban freed 1,200 inmates in a brazen attack on a prison in the southern city of Kandahar.

The New York Times

One of these groups came into the heart of the Indian capital and carried out a brazen attack — an assault on Parliament House, the seat of India's legislature.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Before that, the court complex was the scene of a similarly brazen attack.

The New York Times

In the most brazen attack, a guerrilla jumped onto an American tank in the cemetery two weeks ago and killed two soldiers before fleeing.

The New York Times

Worries about pirate attacks on land deepened in October when, three weeks after Mrs. Tebbutt was taken, Somali gunmen staged another brazen attack, snatching a handicapped French tourist from a beachside bungalow on Manda Island near Lamu and escaping to Somalia.

The New York Times

Even so, the brazen attack on a paramilitary police unit in Kashgar, an ancient oasis city on the Silk Road that has been a hotbed of unrest, followed a spate of smaller bombings or attempted bombings elsewhere in China in recent weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event as "a brazen attack", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the audacious and shocking nature of the action. Provide specific details that highlight the unexpectedness or disrespect shown by the perpetrators.

Common error

Avoid using "brazen" simply as a synonym for "bold" or "daring". "Brazen" implies a shocking level of audacity and disregard for norms or consequences. If the action lacks this element of outrageousness, a different adjective might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brazen attack" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, describing an act of aggression. As Ludwig's examples show, it often depicts actions in political or military contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brazen attack" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an audacious and shameless act of aggression. As Ludwig highlights, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, used to depict events that are not only aggressive but also shockingly bold. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the implication of audacity and disregard for norms. Remember that "brazen" adds a layer of intensity beyond simply "bold" or "daring". Alternatives such as "flagrant assault" or "blatant act of aggression" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flagrant assault

Substitutes "attack" with "assault", emphasizing the violent nature of the action while retaining the sense of boldness conveyed by "brazen".

an audacious offensive

Replaces "attack" with "offensive", highlighting the proactive and strategic nature of the aggression while "audacious" mirrors the boldness of "brazen".

a blatant act of aggression

Uses "act of aggression" instead of "attack", focusing on the hostile nature, and "blatant" replaces "brazen" to indicate an obvious and unashamed quality.

an unashamed violation

Shifts the focus to the violation aspect of the action, emphasizing its shameless nature with "unashamed" as a substitute for "brazen".

a bold transgression

Replaces "attack" with "transgression", highlighting the crossing of a boundary or rule, with "bold" capturing the courage or audacity.

an impudent incursion

Uses "incursion" to denote an intrusion, with "impudent" conveying a disrespectful boldness similar to "brazen".

a barefaced challenge

Substitutes "attack" with "challenge", focusing on confrontation, and uses "barefaced" to emphasize the shamelessness of the action.

a defiant act of hostility

Replaces "attack" with "act of hostility", focusing on animosity, and uses "defiant" to emphasize the boldness.

a shameless encroachment

Replaces "attack" with "encroachment", focusing on the act of intruding, while "shameless" mirrors the lack of concern for propriety.

an insolent raid

Uses "raid" instead of "attack", suggesting a swift and surprising assault, and "insolent" captures the disrespectful boldness.

FAQs

How can I use "a brazen attack" in a sentence?

Use "a brazen attack" to describe an act of aggression or defiance that is shockingly bold or shameless. For example, "The politician condemned the opposition's "brazen attack" on his character during the debate".

What are some alternatives to "a brazen attack"?

You can use alternatives such as "a flagrant assault", "a blatant act of aggression", or "a shameless encroachment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "brazen" mean in the context of "a brazen attack"?

In this context, "brazen" means shockingly bold,shameless, or impudent. It suggests a disregard for convention or consequence, making the attack particularly audacious.

Is it appropriate to use "a brazen attack" in formal writing?

Yes, "a brazen attack" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalistic or analytical contexts, as it accurately describes a specific type of aggressive action. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.