assails

verb

present tense third-person singular of assail
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

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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

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assails
  1. attacks
  2. assaults
  3. slams
  4. raids
  5. scolds
  6. strikes
  7. criticizes
  8. robs
Verb
  • Sheepstealer attacks Syrax, who breaks free long enough to pick up Rhaenyra and Rhaena and carry them back to the safety of King’s Landing.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Shortly after she was diagnosed with class 3 lupus nephritis, a serious complication in which lupus attacks the kidneys.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of attacks
Verb
  • Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
    — Christina Fan, CBS News, 7 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Definition of assaults
Verb
  • This is happening as a demographic shift to an older, grayer population slams Colorado.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Taylor Sheridan slams critics Sheridan's series are all hits with regular people, but he's routinely been a target for critics.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of slams
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.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
  • In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Definition of raids
Verb
  • Someone else scolds the offender.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Definition of scolds
Verb
  • When a robot’s foot strikes the ground, part of the impact energy is normally lost as heat and vibration.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Israeli military said the weekend strikes targeted militants.
    — Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of strikes
Verb
  • That works beautifully against outsiders, and outsiders are most of who criticizes us.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Mike Collins criticizes Jon Ossoff for relying on out-of-state donations.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of criticizes
Verb
  • Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Blending in is the name of a dire game that robs us of what ought to be our value to others and ourselves.
    — Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
Definition of robs

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Cite this Entry

“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of assails for Spanish Speakers

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