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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assailed
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailed
Verb
-
The two sisters entered the restaurant, ran behind the counter and attacked the 23-year-old employee after they were given a wrong order, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between the two countries since February, when Afghanistan attacked Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
While in custody, the sheriff's office said, the suspect assaulted the deputy.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
More than 150 families have also sued Roblox over its alleged failure to prevent children from being groomed or assaulted by predators on the platform.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
A little over a month later, another spell of freezing weather bullied its way into Central Florida and slammed the remaining citrus groves that had just started to recover.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Rob Stewart was slammed by fans for jetting off to attend Scotland's FIFA World Cup match in Boston less than a day after the rocker canceled a concert in California due to health issues.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
During the Nazi occupation of Paris, the Gestapo frequently raided Pablo Picasso’s Left Bank apartment and studio at 7 rue de Grands-Augustins, a few steps from the Seine.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Police raided the business Monday.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Four years ago, Infantino scolded critics during a news conference ahead of the opener in Qatar.—
Carlos Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
The child, now 6 years old, only hears her full name when she's being scolded — though Kendra and Bill are currently trying to undo that pattern.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
New York stormed back from 29 points down in Game 4 to shock San Antonio.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
No one has successfully stormed the cockpit of a commercial aircraft flying in the United States since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and multiple steps have been taken to keep a would-be attacker – or simply an out-of-control passenger – from doing so, but some experts say more could be done.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal was struck just before Edmonds and King were set to appear before a judge.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
More than one-third of Tuvalu’s 11,000 population applied for a climate visa to migrate to Australia, under a deal struck between the two countries two years ago.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
