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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assailed
In the years following the departure of Ailes, many critics further assailed the network for eroding any line between news reporting and commentary and political advocacy.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In late February, the public feud escalated after Trump assailed Anthropic and ordered government agencies to stop using its technology.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Election officials and experts assailed the review, done by the security firm Cyber Ninjas—which made claims about the election process that were disputed by state and county election officials—as deeply flawed and partisan.
—Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
California law restricts when local enforcement can coordinate with ICE in making such arrests, and federal officials and Republicans have assailed the policy for hindering immigration enforcement.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
In announcing the Pentagon’s agreement with Scouting America, the defense secretary assailed the group for welcoming transgender children but stopped short of saying they would be denied entry.
—Tara Copp, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Alongside Palasciano, speakers assailed the influx of Indian Americans, from accusing them of snatching the American Dream to criticizing their driving skills and even blaming them for traffic.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but this year has relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In late February, the public feud escalated after Trump assailed Anthropic and ordered government agencies to stop using its technology.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Election officials and experts assailed the review, done by the security firm Cyber Ninjas—which made claims about the election process that were disputed by state and county election officials—as deeply flawed and partisan.
—Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
California law restricts when local enforcement can coordinate with ICE in making such arrests, and federal officials and Republicans have assailed the policy for hindering immigration enforcement.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
In announcing the Pentagon’s agreement with Scouting America, the defense secretary assailed the group for welcoming transgender children but stopped short of saying they would be denied entry.
—Tara Copp, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Alongside Palasciano, speakers assailed the influx of Indian Americans, from accusing them of snatching the American Dream to criticizing their driving skills and even blaming them for traffic.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but this year has relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailed
Verb
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Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The rabbi of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, which was attacked by arsonists over the weekend, took to social media on Sunday to show members of his congregation gathering in his home to pray.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The investigation began when police received a complaint in January 2024 alleging that a 2-year-old was assaulted by Kristie Kovarcik, police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the teenager was the victim of a seemingly random attack and praised her for keeping her cool even after she was assaulted.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Celtics center Neemias Queta slammed home a driving one-handed dunk on the next possession.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The container struck Duprey, who lost control of the scooter, slammed into a tree and crashed onto the pavement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to investigators, the suspects typically forced entry by breaking windows and doors, then raided safes inside the homes.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Police throughout the United States regularly raided gay hangouts in the 1950s and ‘60s.—
Julio Capó,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Government officials scolded young people for the signs of disrespect.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ukraine's special tactical police units stormed the store after attempts to contact the gunman with a negotiator failed, the head of Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, Ihor Klymenko, said in a statement on social media.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine's special tactical police units stormed the store after attempts to contact the gunman with a negotiator failed, the head of Ukraine's Interior Ministry, Ihor Klymenko, said in a statement on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An unidentified male of unknown age who was also struck in the body was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
They were both struck by the unusual culture in Steubenville.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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