godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
attack; pounce on; come at
Describes a sudden, aggressive physical or figurative attack, often with a sense of rushing or swooping in. Used for both literal assaults and metaphorical onsets like fear or sleep.
犬が突然襲いかかってきた。
A dog suddenly came at me.
不安が彼に襲いかかった。
Anxiety attacked him.