General Synonyms:
* Assault
* Onslaught
* Charge
* Raid
* Incursion
* Strike
* Blitz
* Offensive
* Aggression
* Hostility
More Specific Synonyms:
* For physical violence: beat, batter, pummel, thrash, clobber, maul, strike, batter, wound, maim, decimate, slaughter
* For verbal attacks: criticize, condemn, denounce, berate, lambast, censure, reprimand, rebuke, insult
* For technological attacks: hack, exploit, infiltrate, disrupt, disable
* For diseases: afflict, infect, ravage, plague, decimate
Figurative Synonyms:
* For metaphorical attacks: assail, besiege, bombard, overwhelm, engulf, consume, erode, undermine, dismantle, destroy
* For sudden events: hit, strike, surge, flare-up, outbreak
The best synonym to use will depend on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.