attack dog
noun
1
: a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
2
: a person noted for harsh, personal, and usually public verbal attacks against others
a political attack dog
—usually hyphenated when used before another nounattack-dog tactics
Examples of attack dog in a Sentence
The charges against the candidate were made by one of the governor's attack dogs.
his reputation as a political attack dog earned him the vice presidential spot on the ticket
Recent Examples on the Web
Go deeper: Vance finds footing as Trump's attack dog, by Axios' Sophia Cai.
—
Axios, 11 Aug. 2024
As a political matter, the vice presidential nominee is supposed to serve in a support role, as a defender and attack dog for his (or her) party.
—Jeremy Lott, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Aug. 2024
On the down side, Kelly’s biggest flaw could be his lack of chops as a political attack dog.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2024
Police employed attack dogs, high-pressure water cannons, and tear gas against protestors.
—Philip V. McHarris, TIME, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog 
Axios, 11 Aug. 2024
As a political matter, the vice presidential nominee is supposed to serve in a support role, as a defender and attack dog for his (or her) party.
—Jeremy Lott, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Aug. 2024
On the down side, Kelly’s biggest flaw could be his lack of chops as a political attack dog.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2024
Police employed attack dogs, high-pressure water cannons, and tear gas against protestors.
—Philip V. McHarris, TIME, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for attack dog
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attack dog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Attack dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attack%20dog. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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