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
In 1495 Columbus retaliated by assailing Taíno villages and capturing chiefs.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assailing
Verb
-
Obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement is a federal crime.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
What now is the difference between the United States attacking Venezuela in order to install new leadership and Russia invading Ukraine to effect annexation and leadership change?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect was later federally charged with assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
She was charged with assaulting a federal officer, but federal prosecutors later dismissed the case after security camera video and body camera footage emerged showing a Border Patrol agent steering his vehicle into Martinez’s truck.—
Claudia Lauer,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In Dreams, Franco recalls a resourceful Chastain raiding her closet at home for luxury costumes to play a wealthy socialite on set.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Good taste must be genetic, because these celebrity daughters can't stop raiding their stylish moms' closets.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Really storming winds were coming, and during the whole shooting, this stormy wind never stops.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the Bills have won three straight road games, pummeling the Pittsburgh Steelers, storming back to beat the New England Patriots and holding on against the Cleveland Browns.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assailing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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