raid

[ reyd ]

noun

1. a sudden assault or attack, as upon something to be seized or suppressed:

   a police raid on a gambling ring.

   Synonyms: seizure

2. Military. a sudden attack on the enemy, as by air or by a small land force.

   Synonyms: inroad, invasion, incursion

3. a vigorous, large-scale effort to lure away a competitor's employees, members, etc.
4. Finance. a concerted attempt of speculators to force stock prices down.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a raid on.
2. to steal from; loot:

   a worry that the investment fund is being raided.

3. to entice away from another:

   Large companies are raiding key personnel from smaller companies.

4. to indulge oneself by taking from, especially in order to eat:

   raiding the cookie jar.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in a raid.

raid

/ reɪd /

noun

1. a sudden surprise attack

   an air raid

2. a surprise visit by police searching for criminals or illicit goods

   a fraud-squad raid

3. See also bear raid dawn raid

verb

1. to make a raid against (a person, thing, etc)
2. to sneak into (a place) in order to take something, steal, etc

   raiding the larder

Derived Forms

• ˈraider, noun

Other Words From

• counter·raid noun verb
• un·raided adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of raid¹

1375–1425; Middle English (north and Scots ) ra ( i ) de, Old English rād expedition, literally, a riding; doublet of road

Word History and Origins

Origin of raid¹

C15: Scottish dialect, from Old English rād military expedition; see road

Example Sentences

The tactics used at the time — deforestation and afforestation, cutting off water supplies, raids on Palestinian communities — are still being applied today, with the addition of 21st-century weapons and a far more sophisticated state apparatus.

From Salon

A number of investigations have centred on Adams and those in his orbit - leading to subpoenas, law enforcement raids and a flurry of resignations of top officials who help lead New York City.

From BBC

Detention camps and mass raids are part of Trump’s deportation plans.

From New York Times

But those raids had an unexpected benefit - cocoa seeds were spread all over the farm.

From BBC

Homan promised to resume workplace immigration raids and prioritize immigrants who pose threats to public safety and national security for deportation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrest
• assault
• break in
• capture
• incursion
• invasion
• onslaught
• sortie
• surprise attack
• sweep