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attentat

attack, assassination attempt

noun ah-tahn-TAH Less Common

Usage Note

Attentat specifically means a violent attack aimed at killing or destroying, especially a terrorist attack or assassination attempt — un attentat terroriste (a terrorist attack) or un attentat à la bombe (a bombing). It is stronger and more specific than attaque. The final t is silent. The verb form is attenter à (to make an attempt on).

Examples

"Un attentat a eu lieu en plein centre-ville."

Natural Translation

An attack took place right in the city centre.

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