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
Rabb was propelled by a constellation of progressive groups, charting a path to victory partly by assailing his own party as listening more to donors than voters.
—
CBS News,
24 May 2026
In 2018, that monopoly was assailed by signs and portents.
—
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
And so rivals again assailed Becerra’s performance as state attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
In 2023, senators assailed Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, for its lack of transparency and inability to block bots from purchasing tickets on behalf of scalpers.
—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for assail
CBS News,
24 May 2026
In 2018, that monopoly was assailed by signs and portents.
—
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
And so rivals again assailed Becerra’s performance as state attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
In 2023, senators assailed Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, for its lack of transparency and inability to block bots from purchasing tickets on behalf of scalpers.
—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
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Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Verb
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The singer, who notably assaulted ex-girlfriend and Fenty beauty mogul Rihanna the night before the 2009 Grammy Awards, pleaded not guilty last year in the Diaw case.
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One of the suspects also assaulted and sprayed paint on a person, and when officers tried to detain the suspects several blocks away at Turk and Taylor streets, other people surrounded and obstructed the officers, police said.
Verb
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As officers came close, the tow truck slammed on its brakes, causing the squad car to collide with the rear of the truck, the source said.
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The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
Verb
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Kerr’s home in Florida was raided by the FBI on the same day.
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And try not to raid your retirement savings for a household expense.
Verb
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This ancient poem isn’t interested in scolding women for their sexuality, but in the establishment of honor in the elite household.
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Davis remembered once being scolded as a teenager by her mother after being caught speaking poorly of a classmate.
Verb
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This site strikes a rare balance between serenity and world-class action.
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The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday were most likely caused by a rupture in one of the country’s most active seismic zones — comprising the Boconó and San Sebastián faults, which extend along Venezuela’s northern coast — according to the USGS.
Verb
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Trump stormed out of a June 7 interview with current moderator Kristen Welker in Wisconsin.
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The Cavaliers won the 2015-2016 championship in a remarkable series in which Cleveland stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to win in seven games, a first in finals history.
Verb
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Phillies starter Zack Wheeler dominated — with help from center fielder Derek Hill, whose jaw-dropping catch robbed Juan Soto of a home run — to spoil interim manager Andy Green’s in-dugout Mets debut.
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Derek Hill robbed Juan Soto of a two-run homer with a spectacular catch that helped Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the reeling New York Mets 2-1 on Friday night.
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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