1
as in attacking
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 assaulting
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 assailing
Trump has singled out Moore for criticism, blaming him for a Potomac sewage spill, assailing his handing of Baltimore's bridge collapse and invoking a controversy over his military record.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Horvath, 43, has been one of the mayor’s most outspoken critics over the past year, assailing her record on homelessness and last year’s Palisades fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and left 12 people dead.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
In 1495 Columbus retaliated by assailing Taíno villages and capturing chiefs.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Horvath, 43, has been one of the mayor’s most outspoken critics over the past year, assailing her record on homelessness and last year’s Palisades fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and left 12 people dead.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
In 1495 Columbus retaliated by assailing Taíno villages and capturing chiefs.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailing
Verb
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But its small naval boats with crews of two to six people are attacking cargo ships and tankers near the Strait of Hormuz with apparent impunity.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
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Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado, near San Diego, according to California court records.—
John Hanna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado, near San Diego, according to California court records.—
John Hanna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Aubrey police previously arrested Miller on March 18 after he was accused of assaulting the same woman at the home on Thoroughbred Drive.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video emerged online showing a red Ferrari shooting out of a tunnel along the highway at a high speed, slamming into a concrete barrier where the road curved and erupting into flames.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Hamadeh, who won his seat in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in 2024, also spent time in his speech slamming top Democrats with insults.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Stories are going viral about passengers raiding complimentary buffets in lounges, and children wreaking havoc while distracted parents are unfazed.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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But Dead City fans have responded to cops raiding a concert by setting fires and ransacking a Metro train full of workers trying to get home.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video podcasters are storming streaming platforms.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
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The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time in half a decade after storming into Phoenix to defeat the Suns in a thrilling NBA Play-In Tournament showdown.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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