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assail

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of assail

1 to criticize harshly and usually publicly

  • the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment
Synonyms of assail

abuse, attack, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, savage, scathe, slam, trash, vituperate
Words Related to assail

berate, harangue, harass, harry, revile, scold, whip

blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane

affront, insult, slur

asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down

libel, slander, traduce, vilify

chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, reproof

fulminate, lash (out)
Phrases Synonymous with assail

beat up on, light into, sail into, tie into
Near Antonyms of assail

acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise

2 to take sudden, violent action against

  • the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest
Synonyms of assail

assault, attack, beset, bushwhack, charge, descend (on or upon), go in (on), jump (on), pounce (on or upon), raid, rush, set on, sic (also sick), storm, strike, trash, turn (on)
Words Related to assail

bum-rush, gang up (on), mob, swarm

mug, rob

ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize), waylay

blitz, bomb, bombard, nuke

barrage, cannon, cannonade

bang away (at), batter, buffet, plaster

beleaguer, besiege, press

harry, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack

foray, invade, overrun

envelop, flank
Phrases Synonymous with assail

beat up on, fly at, go at, light into, pitch into, round on, set at, set upon, tear into
Near Antonyms of assail

cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield

Synonym Discussion of assail

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.
    • plan to attack the town at dawn
assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.
    • assailed the enemy with artillery fire
assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.
    • Commandos assaulted the building from all sides.
bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.
    • bombarded the city nightly
storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.
    • preparing to storm the fortress

Learn More about assail

  1. See words that rhyme with assail Dictionary: Definition of assail Spanish Central: Translation of assail Nglish: Translation of assail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of assail for Arabic speakers

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