ASSAILS Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

assails

verb

present tense third-person singular of assail

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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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

Verb

Some of the most popular entries include SCP-173, a concrete statue that attacks anyone who breaks eye contact, and SCP-682, a supremely intelligent reptile that can adapt to any environment and rapidly heal any injury.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Johnson, a longevity-maxxing advocate, announced in July that he was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis, a chronic inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the cells within the stomach lining.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 29 Sep. 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

There are currently more than 85,000 customers without power across the Northeast, including New York City and Connecticut, as an intensifying early-season nor’easter slams the region with strong wind, soaking rain and coastal flooding.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Not thunder, not cobwebs, not a door that slams itself for union reasons.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 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

The handheld strikes a near perfect balance between authentically re-creating the GBA’s design while updating its hardware with new controls, a much better screen, and the flexibility of Android at a price that feels like a bargain.

— Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026
That’s exactly what just happened as Bloom Energy strikes a multiyear deal to place its name on the Philadelphia 76ers’ jersey.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of strikes

Verb

The piece also criticizes media and academic discussions that portray Latino men and Latinas as politically opposed blocs.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The Bolsonaro reaction Flávio Bolsonaro, by contrast, criticizes Brazilian democratic institutions – particularly the Supreme Court and the electoral system – as obstacles to restoring the country’s political order.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticizes

Verb

Knowing his days are numbered, Vince robs banks to provide for his wife and young child.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
That robs the Giants of two of their headlining players and increases the difficulty to get results, even against a lowly team like the 0-2 Titans.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of robs

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“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of assails

verb

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