This is the 724th most frequent Dutch word.
aanvallen
"To attack."
Here 'aanvallen' is used in its literal meaning of 'to attack,' referring to a predator's action towards its prey.
De tijger zal zijn prooi aanvallen als hij honger heeft.
The tiger will attack its prey when it is hungry.
In this sentence, 'aanvallen' is used metaphorically to describe someone feeling emotionally attacked or critiqued.
Hij voelde zich aangevallen toen ze zijn idee bekritiseerde.
He felt attacked when she criticized his idea.
Here 'aanvallen' refers to offense or attacking in a sports context.