1
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
was arrested for his assault of the bystander
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violation
the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse
attended a class teaching women self-defense against assault
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
was found guilty of assaulting an officer enemy forces assaulted the city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assault
Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023
Within days of his assault on White, Seneca allegedly attempted to kidnap a different man and allegedly kidnapped another, the Justice Department said in a previous statement.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2023
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Police said four suspects — identified as a pair of 18-year-old Concord women, a 17-year-old Walnut Creek girl and a 15-year-old Walnut Creek girl — assaulted the victim, took some of his personal property and escaped in a vehicle.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Noun
That is why the Fed is taking a cautious stance and trying to avoid pulling back prematurely from its assault on inflation.
—Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023
Within days of his assault on White, Seneca allegedly attempted to kidnap a different man and allegedly kidnapped another, the Justice Department said in a previous statement.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2023
Verb
The assailant then physically assaulted the father, knocking him to the ground and tossing his kippah away, a traditional skullcap worn by observant Jewish men.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Police said four suspects — identified as a pair of 18-year-old Concord women, a 17-year-old Walnut Creek girl and a 15-year-old Walnut Creek girl — assaulted the victim, took some of his personal property and escaped in a vehicle.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
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Given the dynamics of last year’s presidential contest, in which worries about rising costs of living played a role in Californian Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump, California’s very high costs for housing and other fundamental living needs, would be fodder for attacks on Newsom in 2028.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
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But just this week, BPD arrested two undocumented immigrants caught on camera carrying out a violent attack in Canton.—
WBFF STAFF,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The American Medical Association considers direct medical participation in executions a violation of health care ethics, further complicating procedures involving inmates with complex health considerations like Black.—
Tobias Meyjes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
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But the chase is likely a violation of OPD’s policy on pursuits, which seeks to limit police chases to avoid danger to the public.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The idea of making this sort of gesture, at a time when Texas Republicans are violating the spirit of the rules, is understandably hard for Democrats to consider.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
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According to Calo, the court order doesn't technically violate OpenAI's terms of service, which say the company must retain data to comply with legal orders.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While raiding the minibar at your hotel could probably contribute to bags under your eyes, the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles‘s new amenity is a fridge full of products to make your face look great instead.—
India Brown,
Robb Report,
13 Aug. 2025
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In 2011, federal agents raided the shantytown and made dozens of arrests.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While other governments rushed to make concessions in the face of Trump’s tariff onslaught, India has remained defiant.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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University of Virginia President James E. Ryan resigned in June under pressure from the Justice Department over the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices, reflecting how the government’s premise of combating antisemitism has turned into a broader onslaught.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The thorny debate around what to do with TV shows hosted by those who have faced accusations reared its head Tuesday, when Deadline broke the news that the BBC will not remove content from iPlayer featuring Jay Blades after it was revealed that The Repair Shop presenter is facing rape charges.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
6 Aug. 2025
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Atiba Stanislaus, a farmer in his 20s, received 60 years for manslaughter and an additional 18 years for the rape of Brandel, along with other sentences for other crimes including kidnapping.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Obama did much of this without Republicans forcing his hand.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Alex Austin ended Jayden Daniels' last period, knocking away an end-zone pass on fourth-and-six to force a would-be turnover on downs.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Both women complained profusely to me about it before storming out.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Dolphins sideline erupted, with may offensive teammates storming the corner of the field to celebrate with Eskridge, including wide receivers coach Robert Prince, exuberant for one of his players.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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