An attempt to detract from the worth or credibility of, a person, position, idea, object, or thing, by physical, verbal, emotional, or other assault.
“They claimed the censorship of the article was an attack on free speech.”
A time in which one attacks; the offence of a battle.
“The army timed their attack to coincide with the local celebrations.”
verb
To apply violent force to someone or something.
“This species of snake will only attack humans if it feels threatened.”
To aggressively challenge a person, idea, etc., with words (particularly in newspaper headlines, because it typesets into less space than "criticize" or similar).
“She published an article attacking the recent pay cuts.”