as in attackers
one who violently sets upon another
the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at my assailant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of assailants
Construction began as early as the 7th century BC to protect against nomadic assailants, with the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang adding a major portion from 220 to 206 BC.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
According to the video, which was broadcast Tuesday on RAI state television and other Italian media, assailants poured liquid into the back of the car and set it ablaze as it was parked at a gas station in Amendolara, near Cosenza in the southern Calabria region, RAI said.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
While Lala and Gibbs are enjoying their cute moment, and the team is celebrating its rebranding to NCIS, their colleague Randy (Caleb Foote) is kidnapped by unknown assailants.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
While the rally at a central square in Belgrade passed peacefully, groups of young assailants later clashed with riot police, throwing flares, rocks and bottles at police cordons.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
On Monday, two assailants, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, the site of both a mosque and school, killing three adults.
—Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
The Kuwaiti national news agency said after clashes with local security services, four of the assailants were arrested and two escaped.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
The assailants repeatedly rammed their vehicle into a police cruiser, Beere said.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The eight assailants got out of two cars, including a gray Nissan Altima.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
According to the video, which was broadcast Tuesday on RAI state television and other Italian media, assailants poured liquid into the back of the car and set it ablaze as it was parked at a gas station in Amendolara, near Cosenza in the southern Calabria region, RAI said.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
While Lala and Gibbs are enjoying their cute moment, and the team is celebrating its rebranding to NCIS, their colleague Randy (Caleb Foote) is kidnapped by unknown assailants.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
While the rally at a central square in Belgrade passed peacefully, groups of young assailants later clashed with riot police, throwing flares, rocks and bottles at police cordons.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
On Monday, two assailants, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, the site of both a mosque and school, killing three adults.
—Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
The Kuwaiti national news agency said after clashes with local security services, four of the assailants were arrested and two escaped.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
The assailants repeatedly rammed their vehicle into a police cruiser, Beere said.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The eight assailants got out of two cars, including a gray Nissan Altima.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailants
attackers
Noun
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Bukayo Saka — England/Arsenal Saka suffers a little here from Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach depressing the final third production of all Arsenal’s attackers.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Local authorities in Pakistan said Tuesday that security forces killed eight attackers and thwarted an attempt to seize the checkpoint.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailants. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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