blitz

[blits]

noun

1. Military.

   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.

   2. an intensive aerial bombing.

2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat.

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football.,  act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.

4. bingo.

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz.

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish.

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Football.,  to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.

2. to move in the manner of a blitz.

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz

¹

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment

2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   an advertising blitz

   a drink-driving blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

verb

1. (tr) to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz

²

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

Other Word Forms

• blitzer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blitz¹

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Word History and Origins

Origin of blitz¹

C20: shortened from German Blitzkrieg lightning war

Example Sentences

It’s been seven years since a Supreme Court ruling overturned a national ban on sports betting, and in that time, a new and massive industry has fully materialized, pounding state legislatures with blitz lobbying campaigns and transforming the landscape of sports in America.

From Slate

The Department of Defense has announced that it has secured Naval Station Great Lakes, near north Chicago, to be used as a command center for an “immigration blitz” in the coming days.

From Slate

Wales' World Cup campaign is on the brink of ending after Canada once again provided a masterclass in attacking rugby with a six-try blitz as their place in the knockout phase was confirmed.

From BBC

He dialed up blitz after blitz, just hoping for the best.

From Los Angeles Times

Because federal authorities have also dropped their probes into Polymarket, the Nate Silver–approved prediction market is also returning stateside, just in time to blanket Facebook and Instagram with an ad blitz urging users to join a waiting list for football-season contracts: “BREAKING: Legal football trading is coming to ALL 50 states this fall.”

From Slate

Related Words

• assault 
• bombardment 
• bombing www.thesaurus.com
• offensive 
• onslaught 
• raid 
• shelling www.thesaurus.com