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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailed
Verb
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While Hungary is a member of the European Union, Orbán has repeatedly attacked the it and clashed with his European counterparts on several issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, using his veto power to try to block the EU's efforts to support Ukraine.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Milton residents are voicing safety concerns in the Blue Hills Reservation after Massachusetts State Police say a man stabbed a dog that allegedly attacked him.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Authorities claimed Hill assaulted responding officers who tried to take him into custody, injuring three of them.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2026
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Violence near Northeastern University On March 28, Northeastern Police (NUPD) said a student was assaulted by a suspect just outside the Marino Center on Huntington Avenue.—
Louisa Moller,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mosquera slammed home a volley from outside the area off a clearance attempt to tie it 1-1 in the 36th minute and fed Da Costo for a first-touch finish from point-blank range give the Timbers a 2-1 lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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But the wind, rising quickly, brought higher waves that slammed the small boat with growing force.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The couple had four eggs this season, but two were destroyed when their nest was raided by ravens.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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After the service at Kheimeh Molaghat, over coffee and sweets in the church fellowship hall, Bahraman recounted how armed Iranian forces raided the home of his parents about 15 years ago, because their family had converted to Christianity.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The former Iranian diplomat Hossein Mousavian once scolded Americans for failing to realize that his people are prideful and vain, and that negotiations meant to humiliate and insult them won’t get far.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
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But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Paras Griffin / Getty Images Instead, investigators say the suspects stormed the studio, separated the victims and used firearms during the attack.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Angered when his ally Munim Khan was replaced by Shams-ud-din as vakil (prime minister), Adham Khan, who was already resentful after his recall from Malwa, stormed into the court with his supporters on May 16, 1562, and murdered Shams-ud-din in the audience hall.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The first period was a seesaw affair wherein the Ducks struck first, trailed by a goal, pulled even and then headed to the dressing room down one.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cece Levrault struck for eight goals, while Leah McGee scored four goals as Apponequet (2-1) bested Seekonk 18-6 in the South Coast Conference.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailed. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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