1
as in violated
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent
was registered as a sex offender after assaulting the victim
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in attacked
to take sudden, violent action against
was found guilty of assaulting an officer enemy forces assaulted the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 assaulted
The sole occupant of the home was assaulted and tied up before the suspect stole several items from the home, including a vehicle, then used that vehicle to flee the scene, according to LeLacheur.
—
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Two other people were assaulted during the altercation but were not shot.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
An officer allegedly assaulted a man in Baltimore Officer Kevin Hilton allegedly assaulted a man on March 30, 2025, in the 1500 Block of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bloom Street, according to the indictment.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Israeli Journalists’ Union demanded that military authorities fully prosecute the soldiers who violently assaulted the crew.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Workers and passengers on the Chicago Transit Authority have been assaulted at rates at least double those of comparable public transit systems around the country, according to a Tribune analysis of federal data.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Multiple women told The New York Times that Mexican American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez assaulted them decades ago, including when some were just girls, one as young as 13.
—Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
However, when a Jewish business student was assaulted, Harvard didn't announce suspensions even though perpetrators were criminally charged, according to the lawsuit.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Police detectives found that Jones was assaulted in a fight that started when a woman slapped another woman who was with Jones outside the club.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Two other people were assaulted during the altercation but were not shot.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
An officer allegedly assaulted a man in Baltimore Officer Kevin Hilton allegedly assaulted a man on March 30, 2025, in the 1500 Block of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bloom Street, according to the indictment.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Israeli Journalists’ Union demanded that military authorities fully prosecute the soldiers who violently assaulted the crew.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Workers and passengers on the Chicago Transit Authority have been assaulted at rates at least double those of comparable public transit systems around the country, according to a Tribune analysis of federal data.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Multiple women told The New York Times that Mexican American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez assaulted them decades ago, including when some were just girls, one as young as 13.
—Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
However, when a Jewish business student was assaulted, Harvard didn't announce suspensions even though perpetrators were criminally charged, according to the lawsuit.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Police detectives found that Jones was assaulted in a fight that started when a woman slapped another woman who was with Jones outside the club.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaulted
Verb
-
In other words, Raskin alleges someone at the DOJ may have violated a court order, a possible contempt issue.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Friedman sided with The Times earlier this month, ruling that the Pentagon's new credential policy violated journalists' constitutional rights to free speech and due process.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kuwait’s Al Salmi tanker was attacked at the port connected to the United Arab Emirates city better known as a destination for influencers, Reuters and The New York Times reported.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Houthis have previously attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea to disrupt the flow of oil, gas and other commodities through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Duffy, the Welsh singer who was abducted, held captive for weeks, and raped, leading to her retreat from the public eye, will give her account of the harrowing ordeal in a new Hulu Original documentary for Disney+.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Welsh singer Duffy, who in 2020 revealed she had been drugged, raped and held hostage over several weeks, will share her story in a new Disney+ documentary.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2020, the nest was raided by an unpaired male, and only three of seven chicks survived.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
She was shot to death about 12 hours after police raided Gilbert’s home and found the pistol used to kill Stevenson, according to court filings.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Swayman got plenty busy at the start of the second when the Wild stormed the B’s zone.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The margin grew to 45-21 early in the second quarter before the Clippers stormed back for their fourth straight victory, giving Coach Tyronn Lue the 400th win of his career.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assaulted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaulted. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
