1
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
was arrested for his assault of the bystander
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violation
the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse
attended a class teaching women self-defense against assault
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
was found guilty of assaulting an officer enemy forces assaulted the city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assault
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
He was charged with criminal trespassing, assault, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and three counts of violating a court order, per his booking record viewed by PEOPLE.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The act requires the detention, without bond, of non citizens charged with or convicted of crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer or drunk driving.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Noun
Voice cast regulars Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro), Akari Kitō (Nezuko), Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu) and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Inosuke) return as the Demon Slayer Corps embarks on a climactic assault against the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
He was charged with criminal trespassing, assault, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and three counts of violating a court order, per his booking record viewed by PEOPLE.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Parties involved in the argument were leaving the indoor amusement park when Reed assaulted an employee, unprovoked, while making his way outside.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The act requires the detention, without bond, of non citizens charged with or convicted of crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer or drunk driving.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
-
Bin Laden, through the al-Qaida terrorist organization, targeted the United States for nearly a decade before the 9/11 attacks in 2001, utilizing this large and expansive infrastructure.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Polish officials said 19 objects entered its airspace during a large Russian air attack on Ukraine.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The violation is the eleventh recorded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Ministry figures provided to ABC News.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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From spoiled chicken to dead cockroaches, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City area restaurants last week.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country's prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country's air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.—
Will Gretsky,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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In a 21-page ruling, Talwani found that ICE holding an 18-year-old migrant arrested on charges of shoplifting without a bond hearing violated his due process rights.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jordan Garcia, a veteran community organizer with the Colorado branch of the American Friends Service Committee, travelled to Cedar Run, one of the Denver housing complexes that was raided, to record video and provide assistance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Private equity firms have long cultivated a reputation for raiding Wall Street’s analyst pool, to the point where investment banks had to establish stronger boundaries recently.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mad Men would be named Best Drama for a third straight year and Temple Grandin commenced what turned out to be a seemingly endless onslaught at every applicable awards show, as the TV-movie tied an Emmy record with five major wins.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
13 Sep. 2025
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Poland was not alone in defending its citizens from the Russian onslaught meant for Ukraine.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Cooper had two prior rape convictions.—
Gary Klien,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Between now and then, name and shame the DAs and judges who enable murder, rape and robbery.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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France’s government has collapsed after a vote of no confidence on Monday, forcing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou out of office after just nine months on the job.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Quarterback Brock Purdy, who delivered a clutch, game-winning drive after throwing two interceptions, has a bad shoulder and toe that could force him to miss Week 2.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just five days later, on September 9, demonstrators stormed and set fire to key government buildings, deposing the administration, as the BBC reported.—
Javier Bastardo,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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And in a rural field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony marked by moments of silence, the reading of names and the laying of wreaths, will honor the victims of Flight 93, the hijacked plane that crashed after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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