1
as in violating
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
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2
as in attacking
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
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Recent Examples of assaulting
The lawyers had argued that a history of assaulting women didn’t make Combs guilty of the crimes charged.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia sports radio personality Mike Missanelli was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly assaulting his fiancee, police said.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Borgli’s previous film, 2023’s Dream Scenario, featured Nicolas Cage as a mild-mannered academic who became famous after he mysteriously (and magically) wound up in total strangers’ dreams; that fame turned toxic, however, when his avatar in the dreams suddenly started assaulting people.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Just minutes later, a second fight started near First Street and N Street SW, resulting in a 15-year-old boy being arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Jordan was stabbed and seriously wounded in Brooklyn’s troubled federal jail last year; other inmates were charged with assaulting him.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The singer received treatment at a nearby hospital for a possible overdose but was accused of assaulting police officers.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The untitled film marks Majors’ first movie in four years after he was dropped from numerous projects when found guilty in 2023 of assaulting his former girlfriend.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Karaban spent the better part of the night assaulting the Capital One Arena rims, missing all five of his first threes, and eight of his first nine shots.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia sports radio personality Mike Missanelli was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly assaulting his fiancee, police said.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Borgli’s previous film, 2023’s Dream Scenario, featured Nicolas Cage as a mild-mannered academic who became famous after he mysteriously (and magically) wound up in total strangers’ dreams; that fame turned toxic, however, when his avatar in the dreams suddenly started assaulting people.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Just minutes later, a second fight started near First Street and N Street SW, resulting in a 15-year-old boy being arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Jordan was stabbed and seriously wounded in Brooklyn’s troubled federal jail last year; other inmates were charged with assaulting him.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The singer received treatment at a nearby hospital for a possible overdose but was accused of assaulting police officers.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The untitled film marks Majors’ first movie in four years after he was dropped from numerous projects when found guilty in 2023 of assaulting his former girlfriend.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Karaban spent the better part of the night assaulting the Capital One Arena rims, missing all five of his first threes, and eight of his first nine shots.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaulting
Verb
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Prosecutors said Kamnik also used the state's Justice Network, known as JNET, to obtain hundreds of photographs of women, violating database policies.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Several have also been sanctioned by foreign governments that accused them of supporting and serving in the military government or violating human rights.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For any politician unwilling or unable to persuade the public with facts and strong rebuttals, attacking the messenger becomes the path of least resistance.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
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When attacking adult or adolescent males, Sandel said the chimpanzees use collective violence.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Denise Richards plays wealthy high schooler Kelly Van Ryan, who accuses her guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of raping her; her case is then reinforced when outcast Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) comes forward with her own allegation against Sam.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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One man, Jean-Pierre Marechal, was on trial not for raping Gisèle Pelicot but for using the same methods to rape his own wife and letting Dominique Pelicot rape her as well.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Residents said the attackers operated for hours, raiding homes and sending residents to flee to safety in neighboring communities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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There’s also talk of US forces raiding nuclear sites deep inside Iran to retrieve worrisome nuclear material, amid heightened fears that it could be used by an angry and desperate Iranian regime to manufacture nuclear weapons.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Balint shouted before storming out of the hearing.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
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What it cannot any longer be described as, at least not honestly, is a problem that begins only when Chinese troops start storming ashore.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film is only interested in portraying Goodman as an unambiguous hero, robbing us of the chance to explore the nuances of a complicated person who has participated in decades of history.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
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In fact, to not do so would be robbing yourself of the fruits of your past labors.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Grass lines in 8 to 15 feet of water make a perfect location for ambushing their prey and hiding from other predatory fish like muskies.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
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Rajabi was therefore reduced to meeting Khamenei by ambushing him after evening prayers in his compound.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assaulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaulting. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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