Synonyms of assailed

assailed

verb

past tense of assail

1

as in attacked

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacked
• slammed
• scolded
• criticized
• blasted
• savaged
• abused
• excoriated
• insulted
• lambasted
• castigated
• scathed
• cursed
• bashed
• jumped (on)
• harassed
• vituperated
• tied into
• trashed
• belabored
• berated
• sailed into
• reprimanded
• harangued
• reviled
• disparaged
• lit into
• potshot
• execrated
• blasphemed
• affronted
• harried
• belittled
• slandered
• beat up on
• vilified
• whipped
• profaned
• rebuked
• chastised
• libeled
• traduced
• slurred
• fulminated
• aspersed
• imprecated
• bad-mouthed
• blackguarded
• lashed (out)
• chid
• laced (into)
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praised
• commended
• hailed
• acclaimed
• complimented
• lauded

2

as in assaulted

to take sudden, violent action against

the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacked
• assaulted
• raided
• stormed
• struck
• charged
• ambushed
• robbed
• swarmed
• beset
• invaded
• rushed
• turned (on)
• set at
• set on
• descended (on or upon)
• jumped (on)
• trashed
• set upon
• bushwhacked
• went in (on)
• rounded on
• flew at
• went at
• pounced (on or upon)
• sicced
• surprised
• pitched into
• tore into
• besieged
• flanked
• lit into
• mobbed
• sacked
• waylaid
• bombarded
• buffeted
• bombed
• beat up on
• barraged
• blitzed
• plundered
• ravaged
• battered
• cannonaded
• mugged
• beleaguered
• looted
• enveloped
• ganged up (on)
• nuked
• pillaged
• plastered
• harried
• bum-rushed
• overran
• pressed
• ambuscaded
• cannoned
• forayed
• banged away (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covered
• protected
• secured
• defended
• guarded
• shielded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of assailed

Decades out of practice, Saxberger is assailed by writer’s block and confused by the machinations of a modern-day publishing industry that wants to turn his rediscovery into a branding exercise. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Trump has personally assailed justices who rule against him in stark terms. — Gene Johnson, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Even the urologist’s office has athletic jerseys hanging in the treatment room so that men’s masculinity will not be assailed. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2026

Roberts once signed on to a Kagan dissent that assailed the shadow docket. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 1 July 2026

Lander has assailed Goldman for accepting AIPAC’s endorsement and for voting to send military aid to Israel, which Lander has vowed to oppose. — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026

The former increases excitability and preparedness for movement in response to the tennis equivalent of being assailed by a woolly mammoth. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026

In 2018, that monopoly was assailed by signs and portents. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

And so rivals again assailed Becerra’s performance as state attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026