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
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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
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Recent Examples of assails
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
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assails
Verb
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The monkey’s genitals are burned with a candle, and it is placed in a cage with a mongoose, which attacks it.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
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But together a picture emerges of a long-standing movement eager to stop anyone who attacks a principle or personality its adherents hold dear.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Washington Post slams Kamala Harris book tour, says Dems don't 'have time to waste' on former VP.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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The charging bear slams against the car as the door closes, swiping at the space where the man's head was moments before.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The episode sees Marge revisit her nostalgia for a Dawson's Creek-esque '90s teen drama as Lisa raids her mom's closet for vintage threads with the help of fashion-forward classmates Devin (Cole Escola) and Vidalia (Stephanie Hsu).—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
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Appalachian State’s victory at Michigan in 2007 remains the greatest example of what can happen when a good FCS team walks into your house and raids the fridge, and everything else, but leaves the dog.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sunny Hostin strikes a pose at the opening of the 50th Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York, which benefits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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When sunlight strikes a leaf, energy races across protein structures before it can be stored and used.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mamdani criticizes Adams as 'extreme' after mayor exits New York City race.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticizes President Biden's decision to run for re-election.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When extracts are shown, they’re either filmed in a theater or shown in a smaller frame within the frame, which robs the movie of its mega-ness.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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The erasure of this experience robs us all, and especially future generations who will never see a night like this.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kyle storms off and vows to find whoever is responsible.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
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If at all possible, things get even worse when another group of men storms the house, claiming to be police.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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