as in attackers
one who violently sets upon another
the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at my assailant
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Recent Examples of assailants
The two other assailants were captured with injuries.
—
Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Only one of the three assailants was killed, while the other two were wounded and captured, according to Turkish officials.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the security video, the two officers can be seen laughing and shaking hands with the assailants.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed that the assailants fled on foot following the attack, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Kawan Hardy, 33, and Jamonn Blincoe, 31, allegedly shot back at assailants after hearing gunfire outside the Bottles & Liquor Market on Market Street in Oakland.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers canvassing in the area Sunday spotted Goodwell, who matched the description of one of the assailants, near 17th Street and Imperial Avenue and arrested him.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The assailants, some armed, also vandalized security cameras and a vacant guard shack and slashed the tires of vehicles in the parking lot, authorities said.
—Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
He was forced into a car by a group of assailants, leaving behind the friend who reported the incident to the police.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Only one of the three assailants was killed, while the other two were wounded and captured, according to Turkish officials.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the security video, the two officers can be seen laughing and shaking hands with the assailants.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed that the assailants fled on foot following the attack, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Kawan Hardy, 33, and Jamonn Blincoe, 31, allegedly shot back at assailants after hearing gunfire outside the Bottles & Liquor Market on Market Street in Oakland.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers canvassing in the area Sunday spotted Goodwell, who matched the description of one of the assailants, near 17th Street and Imperial Avenue and arrested him.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The assailants, some armed, also vandalized security cameras and a vacant guard shack and slashed the tires of vehicles in the parking lot, authorities said.
—Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
He was forced into a car by a group of assailants, leaving behind the friend who reported the incident to the police.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailants
attackers
Noun
-
Residents said the attackers operated for hours, raiding homes and sending residents to flee to safety in neighboring communities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
And attackers are already automating exploits of these vulnerabilities.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailants. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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