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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assail
The media giant also has announced plans to acquire most of Fubo and combine the pay-TV operator with Hulu + Live TV, creating a formidable sports-centric combination that critics and at least one shareholder have assailed as a potential monopoly.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
The sheriff and her legal team have repeatedly assailed Cordell’s report, commissioning their own review by former Riverside County Superior Court Judge Burke Strunsky, who criticized Cordell’s reliance on anonymous sources and unrecorded interviews.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Staci Ibarra, another warden who left the department in May — after she was put on administrative leave in the wake of an inmate’s death — assailed a practice in which maximum security inmates had their classification downgraded.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
The sheriff and her legal team have repeatedly assailed Cordell’s report, commissioning their own review by former Riverside County Superior Court Judge Burke Strunsky, who criticized Cordell’s reliance on anonymous sources and unrecorded interviews.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Staci Ibarra, another warden who left the department in May — after she was put on administrative leave in the wake of an inmate’s death — assailed a practice in which maximum security inmates had their classification downgraded.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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In October alone, shoppers were attacked in a supermarket, a Spanish tourist was scratched by a cub at a heritage site, and a trail runner was forced to wrestle a bear in the woods before sprinting to safety.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel in response and attacked the Middle East's largest American military base in Qatar.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An 88-year-old Seattle woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after a man violently assaulted and robbed her, biting off her finger and stealing her jewelry, police say.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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In video of the event shared on social media, several members of the audience could be seen physically assaulting one of the activists who lit a red flare.—
Philippe Cordier,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Marshall tossed an overhead pass to Flagg, who slammed in a dunk.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Donald Trump‘s administration has once again been slammed by an artist for using their music without permission, this time receiving a comment from an unhappy Olivia Rodrigo after the White House and Department of Homeland Security shared a video set to one of her songs.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Dance parties like the one in Iranshahr are still sometimes raided by the police.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Arteta can strike a crotchety figure in post-match interviews, particularly when his team have dropped points.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Players must focus on teamwork, communication and coordination to successfully complete orders before customers get angry and storm out.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Gallagher couldn’t bear robbing the audience — and Marissa — of the satisfaction of his downfall.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
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An 88-year-old Seattle woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after a man violently assaulted and robbed her, biting off her finger and stealing her jewelry, police say.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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