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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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

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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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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

Russia has been doing this since the start of the war, terrorizing Ukrainian cities with aerial assaults that have killed thousands of civilians and crippled much of the country’s energy grid for months on end. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Her case may finally move forward in court after a recent Charlotte Observer investigation about assaults on CATS bus drivers prompted the district attorney to reexamine the incident. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026 Given that assaults with a firearm are more likely to lead to the death of the victim than assaults using other weapons, confrontations became deadlier. — James Tuttle, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 The lethality of the Russian assaults on Kyiv in the past week displays the challenge Ukraine faces in protecting its capital as Russia innovates and steps up its attacks. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 Rubicon focuses on targeting Ukrainian drone crews, electronic warfare systems and logistics routes located 10 to 40 kilometers behind the front, rather than directly supporting assaults, according to Lee and Putiata. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Four people have been arrested so far — one adult and three juveniles — and the arrests are related to the assaults on law enforcement seen in the viral videos, police told Fox News Digital. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 For years, Memphis, whose population exceeds 600,000, has dealt with high violent crime, including assaults, carjackings and homicides. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Earlier Friday, the Ukrainian military's General Staff reported repelling 24 Russian assaults near Kostyantynivka and other settlements. — ABC News, 3 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

Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for July 5th - July 11th, 2026.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Four lobbyists who persuaded their clients to pay tour expenses, but did not report them, now face misdemeanor violations of the gift ban.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Definition of violations

Noun

However, the continuation of attacks between the US and Iran could pose challenges to China’s economy.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The response has been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, and an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, as well as mistrust among local communities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 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

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
Countries are scrambling not to fall behind in AI — and French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are leading a personal charm offensives to court tech CEOs.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 July 2026

Definition of offensives

Verb

If the district violates these state laws, the property would return to state ownership.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026
Aysha Bagchi In a win for Republicans, the Supreme Court ruled that a federal law limiting how much political parties can spend in coordination with an election candidate violates the First Amendment, which establishes the right to free speech.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of violates

Verb

Sharon Stone storms the runway at the Vetements Spring Summer 2027 fashion show during Paris Men's Fashion Week on June 26.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
In a flashback to the Italian inn, Lestat storms in on Gabriella sleeping with a rando, having heard her through the walls.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 29 June 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