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
Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday’s shootout in the city’s financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said.
—
Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday’s shootout in the city's financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
His limp body, which his familial assailants tried to burn with charcoal briquets, was found in Gary, Indiana, authorities said.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The suit alleges the assailants also grabbed Escobedo from behind twice and choked him unconscious in a manner that could have killed him.
—City News Service, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
His girlfriend then yelled for help, leading to one of the assailants pushing her into the room while armed with a kitchen knife, according to the warrant.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 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 are domestic extremists whose aim is to further an agenda of tyrants and oligarchs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
In 1865, Johnson was shot to death by unknown assailants at his home.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday’s shootout in the city's financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
His limp body, which his familial assailants tried to burn with charcoal briquets, was found in Gary, Indiana, authorities said.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The suit alleges the assailants also grabbed Escobedo from behind twice and choked him unconscious in a manner that could have killed him.
—City News Service, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
His girlfriend then yelled for help, leading to one of the assailants pushing her into the room while armed with a kitchen knife, according to the warrant.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 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 are domestic extremists whose aim is to further an agenda of tyrants and oligarchs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
In 1865, Johnson was shot to death by unknown assailants at his home.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailants
attackers
Noun
-
Further investigation will take place to determine the attackers’ motivations.—
Lauren Feiner,
The Verge,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The attackers then strangled Leyla with the rope, per La Jornada.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailants. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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