1
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
2
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
was arrested for his assault of the bystander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in raids
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 assaults
Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
As in previous years, almost all the assaults on responsible growth management start with the premise that local government leaders can’t be trusted to guide (or even listen to) their own communities.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
These men and women who are simply enforcing the law on the books are facing 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Earlier this week, Clauvens pleaded guilty to charges related to the other 11 assaults, which included various assault and battery and weapons charges.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security released statistics reporting assaults against ICE agents face a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Reported assaults on agents have increased.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the DHS released statistics that officials say demonstrate that ICE agents have faced an increase in vehicular assaults.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Miller was convicted of assaults on women aged 56, 68 and 22.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Federal officials have said agents, including those part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are seeing increases in assaults and threats against them.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
As in previous years, almost all the assaults on responsible growth management start with the premise that local government leaders can’t be trusted to guide (or even listen to) their own communities.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
These men and women who are simply enforcing the law on the books are facing 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Earlier this week, Clauvens pleaded guilty to charges related to the other 11 assaults, which included various assault and battery and weapons charges.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security released statistics reporting assaults against ICE agents face a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Reported assaults on agents have increased.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the DHS released statistics that officials say demonstrate that ICE agents have faced an increase in vehicular assaults.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Miller was convicted of assaults on women aged 56, 68 and 22.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
-
There hasn’t been a municipal court determination, no dangerous animal designations or violations, nor citations against her or Oakley, Skelton said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The city’s suit alleges seven causes of action against the defendants, including trespass, public nuisance and several violations of the Administrative Procedures Act.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The agency was established in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Ukraine's security service said that five rescue workers suffered injuries while responding to the site of ongoing attacks.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The two have always had an uneasy relationship, but in the series' first episode, Constance’s son Willem (Toby Hemingway) rapes Fiona’s daughter Dahlia (Diana Silvers), and is murdered by the Nolan family because of it.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Soon after police arrested Bernardo for the Scarborough rapes, he and Homolka were also linked to the murders of three teenage girls between 1990 and 1992, according to CTV News.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
-
November raids By mid-November, law enforcement had collected enough evidence to conduct early-morning raids, including on North Carey Street at the home of Shawn Oliver.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Decades of military offensives, however, have considerably weakened Abu Sayyaf and other such armed groups, and Philippine military and police officials say there has been no recent indication of any foreign militants in the country's south.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Russian forces are intensifying offensives in Donetsk, expanding long-range strikes on cities and energy infrastructure, and pressing for territorial concessions.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The lawsuit alleges the freeze is based on unsupported allegations of social services fraud and violates Congress’ spending power.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The association has argued that Measure ULA violates both the state’s constitution and the Los Angeles City Charter.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rebecca storms off without another word.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Angelica rightly storms out of this conversation and seems determined to give this guy up.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
On the other hand, statins lower LDL cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver, which then forces the liver to remove more LDL cholesterol from the body.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Nonetheless, Williams’ presence on the field alone forces LSU’s defense to account for him at all times due to his big-play ability.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assaults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaults. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share