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

Republican rival Rick Jackson has spent heavily portraying Bottoms’ Atlanta mayoralty as a failure, focusing on crime and 2020 protests — attacks some supporters say carry racial and gender overtones.

— Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 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

One recent ad featuring an Epstein survivor, and targeted at Kansas Republican Roger Marshall, slams the incumbent senator’s September 2025 vote to block a procedural measure that would have released the Epstein files.

— Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 28 Oct. 2026
There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 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

In a video shared by De La Espriella’s office Tuesday, the president scolds some of the suspects captured by police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
In a video shared by De la Espriella’s office Tuesday, the president scolds some of the suspects captured by police.

— Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of scolds

Verb

Antarctica Silversea’s first ship reimagined for polar pursuits, Silver Cloud strikes a commendable balance between expedition thrills and luxury amenities.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Then, Showalter drops from a standing position and strikes Hardy in the head and neck area with his knee.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strikes

Verb

Cervera, who often publicly criticizes school district decisions, defends his criticism of Fernandez.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 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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assailing

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“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of assails

verb

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