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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of assailed
In 2023, senators assailed Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, for its lack of transparency and inability to block bots from purchasing tickets on behalf of scalpers.
—
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Raman also assailed Bass over the fire, the worst in the city’s history.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
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
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
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
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Raman also assailed Bass over the fire, the worst in the city’s history.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
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
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
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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Moments after the landscaper was attacked, officers got a call about a car in the middle of the street nearby.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
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Denise attacked Djena again, beating her until Mohamed and their eldest son, Ahmed, pulled her off.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Four years earlier, Gaff had barged into the home of Vesey and assaulted her while both her children, both under the age of 2, were in another room.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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In a 4-3 decision, the appeals court found that Weinstein's trial judge allowed prosecutors to call women who said Weinstein had assaulted them to testify, even though their accusations did not specifically relate to the entertainment mogul's charges.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Pratt slammed the city’s permitting problems.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
Beua Leroux slammed home a volley in the 18th minute and Reid Roberts scored his first MLS goal in the 81st for San Jose.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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When an emergency meeting with Moulin’s deputies is raided by the Gestapo, though, the film takes on a different shape.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
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Fish arcades are increasingly rare in Charlotte since the Supreme Court’s ruling shut many down, but police have raided locations operating illegally in recent years.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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The victim said he was singled out for laughing, scolded, and told to continue reading before being ordered into the hallway.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Diaz’s face was split open by the end of the second round, the canvas looked like a crime scene and Perry stormed around the cage afterward, demanding a fight with Paul while fans stood on chairs trying to film the madness below them.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
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At 49 minutes, Kerolin stormed forward in attack.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Authorities allege that Dunmars intentionally struck Hayes' vehicle a second time before leaving the scene.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The agent struck by the bullet was examined by emergency medical services personnel at the scene and was not seriously injured, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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