1
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against
the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assail
Or Jewish people assailed and mocked over social media with unrelenting fervor.
—
Jonathan Greenblatt, Time, 23 May 2025
Republicans in Congress have for years assailed the agreement for raising taxes and giving other countries more power over American firms.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Democrats are prepared to assail Trump’s budget as further evidence that the Republican administration is intent on gutting government programs that Americans depend on.
—Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
President Trump continues to assail the once-unassailable status quo on civil rights.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Jonathan Greenblatt, Time, 23 May 2025
Republicans in Congress have for years assailed the agreement for raising taxes and giving other countries more power over American firms.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Democrats are prepared to assail Trump’s budget as further evidence that the Republican administration is intent on gutting government programs that Americans depend on.
—Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
President Trump continues to assail the once-unassailable status quo on civil rights.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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Her dad drove to Boulder to attack the protest three days later, according to investigators.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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After the quake evacuation, the inmates were still outside of the cells when a group suddenly attacked guards, seized their weapons, opened fire and fled, said Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan.—
Brittany Williams,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
Verb
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He was initially charged with trespass, but Habba dropped that charge last month and charged McIver with two counts of assaulting officers stemming from her role in the skirmish at the facility’s gate. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked Habba’s office after moving to dismiss the charges.—
Mike Catalini,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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Diddy trial recap: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere Supporting others Thurston aims to document her journey to recovery in the hope of helping others.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Verb
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At another meeting in May 2024, Grippo scolded female employees for not working hard enough, although the team was high-performing and employees worked long hours, the lawsuit said.—
Suhauna Hussain,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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In January at the annual World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump scolded Brian Moynihan, the CEO of Bank of America.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Wolves might be about to get raided for a second time.—
Phil Hay
June 2,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Though the police had raided Stonewall Inn and countless others before, the events of June 28, 1969, known as the Stonewall Riots, spearheaded a six-day uprising for LGBTQ+ rights.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
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The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The film’s blend of humor, supernatural elements and folklore struck a chord with audiences, paving the way for further exploration of the genre.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 May 2025
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While Townshend's post suggested an amicable split, Starkey struck a different tone in response at the time.—
Mekishana Pierre Updated,
EW.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Of course, there are his pardons for more than 1,500 people convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the transfer of power after Trump lost his reelection bid.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Lochte initially claimed he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint, but it was determined those with the guns were actually security guards at a gas station where the swimmers had urinated outside a bathroom.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2025
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He was robbed of an extra-base hit by Victor Scott II in center field and Nolan Arenado took away another hit.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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