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
Relevance
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
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
Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
He has been charged with felonious assault and domestic violence.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
There’s an ominous final shot of Kayleigh, the Rat who assaulted Ciri in the previous episode, looking at a scroll that promises a fat bounty for her capture.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Noun
What America is experiencing now is the feature presentation, a systematic, full-frontal assault on our nation’s cultural and intellectual life.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
He has been charged with felonious assault and domestic violence.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Wuornos entered a not guilty plea and took the stand — testifying that she was assaulted, raped, and tortured by Malloy during their encounter and only shot him to get away.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
There’s an ominous final shot of Kayleigh, the Rat who assaulted Ciri in the previous episode, looking at a scroll that promises a fat bounty for her capture.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
-
All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Among those scheduled to testify at the hearing for the government were an Oklahoma couple who were storing some of Goudreau's belongings, including two assault rifles an associate recently tried to retrieve in possible violation of a court order against possessing firearms while on bond.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Nov. 2025
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The denial letter said Farzam was convicted of making a false statement to the DMV and a registration violation.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The thieves raided the Apollo Gallery on the Louvre’s upper floor, which houses the French crown jewels, on October 19.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In 1917, during WWI, a German newspaper in Cincinnati was raided by the US government.—
Carl Weiser,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In August 2024, the Hales Corners Library Board voted unanimously to keep the books in the library's circulation and concluded Lewis-Lane and library staff did not violate library policies.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
But Comey's attorneys raised separate concerns that by using those materials at all, the government may have violated Comey's rights -- not just by reviewing potentially privileged information, but also by revisiting evidence obtained by warrants that would now be considered stale.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The campaign began with an air offensive in January 1991, followed by a swift ground assault that expelled Iraqi forces within 100 hours.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Determined to stop the anti-imperial policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, British and French representatives met with Israeli officials in October 1956 to forge a secret agreement for a coordinated offensive against Egypt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The organization announced an investigation by outside law firm Omnia Strategy in January 2024 after allegations of human rights abuses, including rape and torture.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
No More Shame, which focuses on the shocking rape trial of Gisèle Pelicot.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Players must focus on teamwork, communication and coordination to successfully complete orders before customers get angry and storm out.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto shut the door, forcing a game-ending double play and earning his third win of the series.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, hit an unexpected home run in the ninth inning of Game Seven to tie it and force extra innings, when the Dodgers won it.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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