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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assailed
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailed
Verb
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Three people were killed and 20 more people were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2, according to public broadcaster NHK.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
During the Gaza war, the Houthis attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea — including ships with no link to Israel — to pressure Israel into lifting its blockade on the enclave.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Detectives say the suspect, 45-year-old Ismael Martinez, had just assaulted his girlfriend with a knife; she was found wounded in a nearby vehicle and hospitalized.—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Lewis was accused of poisoning two white female housemates, assaulted by a white mob in response to the charge, and acquitted in court, only to then be accused of stealing art supplies and prohibited from reënrolling.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Additionally, Wallen was also slammed by several local figures.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
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Without hesitation, Towns drove past the 7-4 unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, and slammed home a finish.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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In 2003, Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was raided by police.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, deputies raided the home and found eight people recovering from cosmetic surgery inside, along with two employees.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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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
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Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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After the Fever led by as many as 12 in the second half, the Liberty stormed back, capitalizing on Indiana turnovers to secure an 83-75 victory.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
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Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The two teams traded a run apiece in both the fifth and sixth frames before the Bats struck for four more in the seventh to seize control of the game, and eventually the victory.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
Democrats followed with aggressive maps in Illinois, Maryland, and (until courts struck them down) New York.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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