assault 1 of 2

assault

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assault contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assault are assail, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When could assail be used to replace assault?

While the synonyms assail and assault are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use attack instead of assault?

Although the words attack and assault have much in common, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When would bombard be a good substitute for assault?

The words bombard and assault are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is storm a more appropriate choice than assault?

The words storm and assault can be used in similar contexts, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

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 assault
Noun
That is why the Fed is taking a cautious stance and trying to avoid pulling back prematurely from its assault on inflation. Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023 Within days of his assault on White, Seneca allegedly attempted to kidnap a different man and allegedly kidnapped another, the Justice Department said in a previous statement. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2023
Verb
The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man suspected of assaulting women while riding an electric dirt bike, the department said in a Facebook post Tuesday. Sarah Cutler updated July 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2025 One of the neighbors is too afraid to keep pushing with this because one of the men assaulted her father. For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
  • The onslaught of attacks on transgender rights fueled Missouri lawmakers to enact a law in 2023 that banned gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries, for minors.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • From 21 March on, the gang launched attacks against several areas in the communes of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite and Marchand Dessalines.
    Jacqueline Charles July 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management, helped facilitate the tour and told lawmakers that those with yellow wristbands, the lowest level, had committed noncriminal offenses such as traffic violations.
    Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
  • The list obtained by the Herald/Times states that his uncle, Denis Alcides Solis Morales, has immigration violations and makes no mention of convictions or pending criminal charges.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • According to a spokesperson for the National Police Association, there are too many people violating home detention in Maryland who are committing crimes while wearing their ankle monitors.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025
  • Police can issue citations to self-driving vehicles' registered owners under a variety of circumstances, including if the car violates a traffic law resulting in a collision.
    Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Federal agents raided four Colt Grill restaurant locations in Yavapai County and one in Foley, Alabama.
    Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 July 2025
  • Doyle and Dixon's homes have also been raided, WBRZ reported.
    Kerry Breen July 16, CBS News, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • An onslaught of aerial/high-rise scenes that even Pink would find excessive?
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
  • Topline More than half of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the federal government’s documents detailing its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new poll that comes as Trump is facing an onslaught of backlash from his base over the issue.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • The show begins in 1989 when five Black and Latino teenagers are wrongfully accused of rape in the Central Park Jogger case.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 July 2025
  • Corrections officials say two Arkansas prison employees errantly helped Grant Hardin, the former police chief convicted of murder and rape, escape from a prison in May.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • These design modifications force drivers to drive slower and pay more attention to their environments, increasing the balance between vehicles and pedestrians.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • In Sweden, municipalities were forced to communicate offline using paper memos.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Is it expected to storm over the weekend in Grand Rapids?
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
  • Just over 1 kilometer to the west on Hardware Lane – one of the city’s most popular areas for restaurants and nightlife – about 20 protesters stormed into an Israeli restaurant, chanting slogans, police said.
    Angus Watson, CNN Money, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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