assail

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assail contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assail are assault, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use assault instead of assail?

The words assault and assail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When can attack be used instead of assail?

In some situations, the words attack and assail are roughly equivalent. However, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When is bombard a more appropriate choice than assail?

The words bombard and assail can be used in similar contexts, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When could storm be used to replace assail?

The synonyms storm and assail are sometimes interchangeable, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assail The men denied it and assailed Giuffre’s credibility. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025 Many independent observers have assailed the exercise as a triumph of politics over justice — and a potentially fatal blow for the separation of powers, a crucial pillar of democratic rule. Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025 Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has set the tone by assailing his former colleague Jennifer Griffin (Fox’s national security correspondent) and other journalists. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 Democrats in Congress immediately assailed the package as an attack on health coverage for vulnerable populations. Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
  • Boone acknowledged that location will be key for Stroman, who can no longer attack hitters head-on at this stage of his career.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
  • The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • According to Dominguez, Smith physically assaulted Turner and pulled out some of her hair.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 26 June 2025
  • Rihanna's has been candid about her relationship with her father over the years, and spoke out against her father after she was assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009 and Fenty reportedly spoke to the press about the incident without his daughter's consent.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Musk and Gor reportedly clashed in Cabinet meetings where Musk scolded Gor over personnel disagreements in recent months.
    Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Bread and milk were in short supply after worried customers raided shelves at grocery stores and bakeries.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • The deal ends a case that first drew public attention in 2019 when federal officials raided former developer Paul's home and the offices of his World Class Holdings in downtown Austin.
    Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Jewish advocacy groups slammed President Donald Trump for using an anti-Semitic descriptor on Thursday during his Iowa speech celebrating the passage of his spending bill.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2025
  • In June, the artist slammed ICE in a video recorded in Carolina, Puerto Rico, where officers are seen detaining several people in the streets.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Four bullets struck Shakur in the chest, arm and thigh.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • Designers embracing experimentation struck an elegant balance between classic style staples and elevated craftsmanship with a modern use of innovative techniques, textures and textiles.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • MacDonough also advised Chief Justice John Roberts during both of Trump’s Senate impeachment trials, including the one that came in response to rioters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Padres manager Mike Shildt stormed out of the dugout and started yelling toward the Dodgers dugout, prompting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to confront Shildt.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • McNeil made a highlight-reel catch in the first inning to rob Marcell Ozuna of extra bases, scaling the wall in center field, and giving Holmes a chance to pitch with zeroes on the board.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
  • Twelve years ago high school basketball player Tony Farmer collapsed after hearing his sentence in criminal court for kidnapping, assaulting and robbing a former girlfriend.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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