1
as in attacks
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 assaults
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assails
The war in Gaza has become a dividing line between the two candidates, both of whom are Jewish, as Lander assails Goldman for not being tough enough on Israel over its military action against Palestinians.
—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.
—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.
—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assails
Verb
-
The 6-foot-9 Haugh stretches defenses with his shooting, attacks the rim, thrives in transition and guards multiple positions.
-
Zuko attacks Katara while Azula attacks Aang, ultimately injuring him and leaving his fate unclear as Team Avatar escapes.
Verb
-
Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
-
Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.
Verb
-
His hand fans out into a wave, then the door slams shut.
-
Granit Xhaka slams it into the right corner of the net.
Verb
-
In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.
-
In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.
Verb
-
Someone else scolds the offender.
-
Inspired by This Is Spinal Tap, Cundieff makes quick work of lambasting the casual misogyny and homophobia ingrained in hardcore rap, but also of the media scolds unable to parse the message of the music.
Verb
-
De la Espriella strikes reassuring tone With only a few hundred thousand votes separating the two candidates, De la Espriella used his victory speech to try to calm his critics.
-
Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium.
Verb
-
The couple has been targeted by a group called Boycott Divest Zabludowicz, which criticizes them for supporting a pro-Israel lobby.
-
That letter, referenced in the Brandeis Center complaint, criticizes the APA for failing to discipline a former division president, Lara Sheehi, for various incendiary comments about Zionism.
Verb
-
What people want to hear is your own voice; the story told in your own way, and that’s what AI completely robs everyone of.
-
The ban has been widely celebrated by advocates who hope Vermont’s move will prompt similar action in other states to prevent the neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements and affects about 1 million Americans.
Cite this Entry
“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
