# ambushed

/ˈæmˌbʊʃt/ (US) · /ˈæmbʊʃt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ambushed
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

feeling surprised and trapped because someone attacked or spoke to you when you did not expect it. You use this when you feel caught off guard by a person or a situation.

For teachers: surprised by a sudden attack or an unexpected confrontation. Often used as a participial adjective to describe a state of being caught off guard.

## Examples

- The manager felt ambushed by the sudden questions.
- The celebrity felt ambushed by the group of reporters waiting outside her private residence.
- Although he expected some pushback, the CEO felt completely ambushed when the board members presented a list of grievances he had never heard before.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'feel', 'seem', or 'look'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.