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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assailed
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
Ekulona’s Julie is assailed as much by Hedda’s slights as by her indifference.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 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
Trump picked Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but has been relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Some Republicans have assailed the agency as overregulating industry.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
In the final days of his presidency, Joe Biden was similarly assailed for granting a broad pardon to his son Hunter for any offenses committed over the span of more than a decade—as well as for preemptively pardoning a swath of other members of his family and administration.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Tara Copp, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Ekulona’s Julie is assailed as much by Hedda’s slights as by her indifference.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 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
Trump picked Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but has been relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Some Republicans have assailed the agency as overregulating industry.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
In the final days of his presidency, Joe Biden was similarly assailed for granting a broad pardon to his son Hunter for any offenses committed over the span of more than a decade—as well as for preemptively pardoning a swath of other members of his family and administration.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailed
Verb
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The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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Four years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine, and oil shot up 50% in a matter of weeks, north of $100 a barrel.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Seitz said the men had assaulted him, and that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and deputies had violated his civil rights, inflicted emotional stress, defamed him and conspired to keep the matter quiet.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Truszkowski, who also represents Brenda Tracy in the ongoing case against former Michigan State University coach Mel Tucker, claims that Lewis assaulted the woman again in January 2025, and the woman also reported that incident to Moore.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After a rare rough outing from starter Luke Harrison, who allowed two runs and walked five in 3⅓ innings, Texas rolled out five outstanding bullpen arms that slammed the door on Baylor.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Mar. 2026
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Kitchen cabinets get a lot of wear since they’re constantly being opened, slammed, and bumped all day long.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Alberto Carvalho was placed on indefinite administrative leave, officials announced Friday, just two days after FBI agents raided his home and office related to an undisclosed criminal investigation.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
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The Los Angeles School Board placed Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on indefinite administrative leave Friday, two days after FBI agents raided his California home and school district office.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Zambrano’s case, Gee scolded the government over how the detention unfolded.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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He is being groomed, playing, testing boundaries and even being scolded which are all part of normal social learning for young macaques.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Suncoast students stormed the court after the regional final victory.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Hundreds of protesters stormed the diplomatic compound in a sharp escalation of anti-American demonstrations.—
Mitch Picasso,
FOXNews.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump, meanwhile, has struck a decidedly defiant tone — offering few of the reassurances or rationalizations that past presidents have offered in the initial stages of war, and sounding more unbothered than embattled.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The earthquake struck at a depth of 6 miles, with its epicenter approximately 2 miles west of Lake Henshaw.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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