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
And why, in a moment of barbed stories assailing theatrical movie budgets and picture pickers, theatrical moviegoing’s future falls to its best artists, and the studio execs who bet on their big creative swings.
—
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including at multiple state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk ‘s actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights.
—Dave Collins, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
And, like the conservative Slavophile authors of that era who first formulated the nativist views that have resurged under Putin—such as the historian Mikhail Pogodin—Dugin assails the West and its values.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The first was a retweet of a posting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after Zelensky was publicly assailed by Trump and his deputy JD Vance at a meeting in the White House at the end of February.
—Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including at multiple state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk ‘s actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights.
—Dave Collins, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
And, like the conservative Slavophile authors of that era who first formulated the nativist views that have resurged under Putin—such as the historian Mikhail Pogodin—Dugin assails the West and its values.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The first was a retweet of a posting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after Zelensky was publicly assailed by Trump and his deputy JD Vance at a meeting in the White House at the end of February.
—Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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An adult son had attacked his mother with a machete and ran to a nearby house, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2025
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While in federal prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons, Stroud attacked another inmate, resulting in his transfer to USP Leavenworth.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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In the process we were assaulted and responded in kind.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
21 May 2025
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Mace cites allegations that McIver assaulted federal law enforcement officers and unlawfully interfered with operations at a federal immigration detention facility in Newark.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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After performing spirited pieces from the Prime Video superhero drama at Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Television event, composers Christopher Lennertz and Matt Bowen were asked if they’ve ever been scolded for going too far with their music.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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Similar circumstances were noted at most airports across the country, with media reporting that those without a Real ID have faced little more than a scolding from TSA agents or a reminder to book an appointment soon to get a Star Card.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Wildlife biologists in Florida documented a bobcat raiding a python nest back in 2021.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
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Khartoum was founded as a slave market, in 1821, and Arabs continued to raid southern areas, including the Nuba Mountains, for human chattel long after the practice was outlawed, in 1924.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The post also slammed Springsteen for speaking out against the president while abroad rather than while on US soil.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
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At least seven people are dead in Missouri, including five killed after strong supercell storms that spurred tornado warnings slammed into St. Louis on Friday, tearing roofs off homes and causing several buildings to collapse.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Vasquez was throwing first-pitch strikes 54% of the time his first seven starts.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
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But summer is its own sweet spot with warm water, canyon views in every direction, and rapids that strike the perfect balance between splashy and smooth.—
West Virginia Tourism,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The Panthers stormed back in this series by getting the game played on their terms at Amerant Bank Arena.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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The reigning champs built substantial leads at home in both Games 1 and 2, but New York stormed back to win both those contests in stunning fashion.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Will Luka finally realize that his poor conditioning was his beloved Dallas Mavericks’ main reason for foolishly giving him away, and, while the Mavericks were robbed in the deal, all this talk of weight issues was absolutely true?—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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Police allege that shortly after midnight on April 19, Jones and Upshaw approached a Richmond resident on the 500 block of 18th Street in Uptown Oakland, and attempted to rob him for a diamond necklace.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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