assail

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assail contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assail are assault, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use assault instead of assail?

The words assault and assail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When can attack be used instead of assail?

In some situations, the words attack and assail are roughly equivalent. However, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When is bombard a more appropriate choice than assail?

The words bombard and assail can be used in similar contexts, but bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When could storm be used to replace assail?

The synonyms storm and assail are sometimes interchangeable, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assail Thomas wrote a dissenting opinion, to which Alito also attached his name, and assailed the court majority for refusing to hear Alabama's case. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 The high-drama scene the mayor will be walking into is hardly his first time being assailed over immigration. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 Democrats who opposed the measure assailed it as discriminatory and a waste of floor time. Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025 Advocates of temperance have attacked the more positive report, while the alcohol industry assailed the more critical one. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
  • Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Cena aligned himself with The Rock, attacking Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes after Rhodes turned down The Rock's offer.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The filing stated that in one incident, McCarrick assaulted the victim, a teenage boy, at a wedding reception in Massachusetts in 1974.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
  • An investigation revealed the three victims were assaulted and robbed by the suspects, who are all believed to be associates of a criminal street gang, police said.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • A little less than a month after the meeting, the FBI raided the offices of Feeding Our Future.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Getty Images — Erin Doherty 23 Hours Ago Tech, finance leaders reportedly visiting Trump to ‘talk common sense’ on tariffs An aerial view of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home after Trump said that FBI agents raided it, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. August 15, 2022.
    Erin Doherty,Annika Kim Constantino,Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Paxton and Cornyn have traded barbs back and forth for years, with the attorney general slamming Cornyn’s votes in favor of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine and bipartisan legislation on gun safety following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells left the court on a stretcher last night after slamming his head on the court during a dunk attempt.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Several aftershocks have since struck nearby, including one of 6.4-magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey.
    Ross Adkin, Alex Stambaugh and Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Myanmar’s ruling junta has declared a state of emergency in six regions -- Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw and Bago – after the earthquake struck the country, followed by a series of aftershocks.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After Cooper Flagg knocked down a pair of free throws at the 11:54 mark to give the Blue Devils a 56-42 lead, Houston stormed back with a relentless 28-11 run to complete a stunning rally and punch their ticket to the title game.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Opposition lawmakers have accused Yoon of inciting his most extreme followers to violence, after a pro-Yoon mob stormed and defaced the courthouse that issued his arrest warrant in January.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Take for example, when she got robbed in episode 2.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Their righteous scores soon turn dangerous when the pair end up robbing the wrong house to one of the biggest and secretive narcotics operations on the East coast.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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