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

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assails
  1. attacks
  2. assaults
  3. slams
  4. raids
  5. scolds
  6. strikes
  7. criticizes
  8. robs
Verb
  • Greenidge, an award-winning public historian, refuted all charges, and told the New York Times that attacks on her scholarship were racially motivated.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • However, when Duffy attacks Marcus during a confrontation with Slough House agents, Louisa hits the chief of the Dogs in the head, leaving him in a coma.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 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
  • Robin Williams' daughter slams AI videos of her father, urges fans to 'stop doing this'Need a news break?
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • When Alice starts to have a panic attack, Catherine slams her syringe into her neck.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 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
  • Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolds
Verb
  • After another two minutes of dangerous Machado Garry strikes, Makhachev deftly tripped the challenger and quickly scrambled to take Machado Garry’s back, where Makhachev stayed stapled until the horn sounded and Silva’s record was rewritten.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Medium heat strikes the perfect balance of drying quickly but maintaining towel softness.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of strikes
Verb
  • Beatty’s filing also criticizes the tarps that have covered the venue’s front portico for more than two months.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Lebanese leader criticizes Israel Saturday’s strikes are the deadliest since the truce went into effect two months ago.
    — Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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