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
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
Republicans historically have assailed federal efforts under Democrats to pick winners and losers in the broader economy.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Shildt assailed the logic of the folks at Major League Baseball’s Replay Command Center in New York City.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The first seven months of his second term went by without much focus on the issue until earlier this month, when a Department of Government Efficiency staffer was assailed by several juveniles.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Republicans historically have assailed federal efforts under Democrats to pick winners and losers in the broader economy.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Shildt assailed the logic of the folks at Major League Baseball’s Replay Command Center in New York City.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The first seven months of his second term went by without much focus on the issue until earlier this month, when a Department of Government Efficiency staffer was assailed by several juveniles.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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In the hands of editor Richard Mettler, some of those fragments serve montages that interlace how the tribes prepare to defend themselves with the way Jalabzeen readies himself to attack.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
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Having attacked the edge of the six-yard box, Rodon has to back-pedal and meet the ball, again, wide of the goal.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said dozens were arrested on Saturday, including some who were physically assaulted.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
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Brown, who also faces separate charges of assaulting a federal officer, remains in custody without bond, while Samane was released on $5,000 bond.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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Chun also scolded attorneys for Amazon in July for withholding thousands of documents from the FTC and abusing a legal privilege to shield them from scrutiny.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The singer has been vocal about foregoing tour stops in the US, citing fears that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would raid the concert venues.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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The episode sees Marge revisit her nostalgia for a Dawson's Creek-esque '90s teen drama as Lisa raids her mom's closet for vintage threads with the help of fashion-forward classmates Devin (Cole Escola) and Vidalia (Stephanie Hsu).—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk followed Guerrero the next inning, slamming the first of his two homers over the outfield wall.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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As comedians from Bill Burr to Kevin Hart were slammed for performing at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival, Dave Chappelle said the Middle Eastern nation is actually more suitable for stand-up than the United States.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Late last night, the Detroit Tigers struck first in the ALDS with a 3-2 win in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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In the show, Gein strikes Henry with a piece of wood, then drags his body into the woods and stages a brush fire to explain Henry's death.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Proposition 50 is California’s armament in a redistricting war that has stormed into at least three states and threatens to spread to others.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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At the height of the protests the demonstrators stormed and partially burnt the parliament in Nairobi and dozens of protesters were killed.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wahlberg, 54, plays a professional thief who recruits a new team in an attempt to rob a treasure recently recovered from the depths of the ocean.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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The man tried to rob him, causing a scuffle that ended with Zeek shot, lying on the ground, dialing 911.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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