ASSAULTS Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

assaults 1 of 2

noun

plural of assault

as in violations

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

Relevance

as in attacks

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence was arrested for his assault of the bystander

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

assaults

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of assault

as in rapes

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

as in raids

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

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 assaults

Noun

The lawsuit claims the store manager took videos of the assaults and ordered employees to participate in the assaults and record their own videos. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 Russia will likely continue using a limited number of mechanized assaults while relying primarily on small-unit infiltrations. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 On September 1, Chafin deployed rented commercial aircraft to drop pipe bombs and tear gas on locations where the miners were suspected to be regrouping for further assaults. — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 The statement also offered a reminder of the conditions in which Solovey had been living in Kyiv, which continues to be a primary target of drone assaults and ballistic missile attacks in that country’s ongoing war against Russia. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Separately, the Tates still face previous charges alleging similar assaults in Romania but were released on bail. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 The Houthis said they got involved in the war to retaliate against Saudi Arabia for its siege on Yemen and assaults on the capital's international airport. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 July 2026 The White House itself has been a staging ground for political assaults on the Dodgers’ home state and on immigrants who come from regions of the world that are home to some of the Dodger players. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Syrskyi’s way of war – large frontal assaults that were costly, if not the only real way to reclaim land – had begun to look dated. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Verb

Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. — Christina Fan, CBS News, 7 June 2026 Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026 The Pios’ culture assaults the senses the moment players step onto campus. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026 The White House told ProPublica that anyone who assaults federal immigration agents would be prosecuted. — Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025 The Kid also physically assaults Apollonia at one point. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025 Continue reading … SKY SCUFFLE – Passenger allegedly assaults Alaska Airlines crew members, forces emergency landing at Boise Airport. — FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assaults

Noun

The suit alleges violations of her First Amendment rights and that she was discriminated against because of her Muslim religion.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
The case was about violations of UNCLOS, which covers the rights of states related to business, environment, natural resources, and freedom of navigation.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of violations

Noun

Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Israeli intelligence believes Iran moved part of its enriched uranium stockpile to Pickaxe Mountain after last June’s attacks, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of attacks

Verb

In that film’s story, Insiang (Hilda Koronel) metes out revenge against Dado (Ruel Vernal), her hateful mother’s lover, who rapes her after rejecting his advances.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Through these photos, Dominique Pelicot is not ‘just’ casting an incestuous gaze on me, as was said during the investigation and the Mazan rapes trial.

— TIME, Time, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of rapes

Verb

In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026

Definition of raids

Noun

However, Iran analysts are highly skeptical that Tehran will prove capable of launching any such large-scale ground offensives any time soon.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Israel’s ongoing offensives have become a wedge issue for Jewish and non-Jewish Americans, leading to protests and raising antisemitism fears and questions about America’s close ties to Israel.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of offensives

Verb

The technology has its proponents who laud its investigative power, while opponents call it a mass surveillance system that violates privacy and civil liberties.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
The lawsuit argues that the commission's position violates state law and the Wisconsin Constitution's guarantees of the right to vote and equal protection under the law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of violates

Verb

Mars storms the Official Streaming chart with five titles, while one of his most successful collaborations becomes a bestseller again on multiple rosters.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Although significant, that event was far less powerful than the Carrington Event — or the even rarer storms the new study suggests may be possible.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of storms

Noun

Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Wardley, 31, had never lost in 21 bouts before Saturday, and somehow withstood numerous onslaughts from Dubois (23-3) without ever touching the canvas in a remarkable display of courage.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 9 May 2026