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
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Recent Examples of assaults
Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
In 2024, the county recorded 6,323 assaults, of which 205 involved firearms.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
No other modern American leader has directed assaults in as many countries in such a short span of time.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
These operations might include bombings, shootings, or assaults designed to create fear and political pressure.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Correctional deaths sit at the apex of abuse, assaults and violence that can be more easily concealed than deaths.
—Nora Demleitner, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
The government has conducted a counteroffensive since January with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
In response to Israel’s bombing of a consular annex in Syria and the subsequent killing of Nasrallah, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones at Israel by the hundreds, the largest such assaults in history.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The assaults began in October in the 5600 block of West Washington Boulevard.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
In 2024, the county recorded 6,323 assaults, of which 205 involved firearms.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
No other modern American leader has directed assaults in as many countries in such a short span of time.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
These operations might include bombings, shootings, or assaults designed to create fear and political pressure.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Correctional deaths sit at the apex of abuse, assaults and violence that can be more easily concealed than deaths.
—Nora Demleitner, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
The government has conducted a counteroffensive since January with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
In response to Israel’s bombing of a consular annex in Syria and the subsequent killing of Nasrallah, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones at Israel by the hundreds, the largest such assaults in history.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The assaults began in October in the 5600 block of West Washington Boulevard.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
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
-
Many of those with convictions are for minor offenses, including traffic violations.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the Austin Independent School District that it could be fined $5,000 daily for alleged violations of Texas' new bathroom bill.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even so, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw fresh drone and missile attacks Saturday morning.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to launch retaliatory drone and missile attacks across the region, and a clerical body has been working to select the country's next supreme leader.—
Stefan Becket,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The girl vomited and went to lie down where Marino allegedly rapes her, the prosecutor added.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nation-states now pair kinetic strikes with digital offensives.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Dynamic shifts on the battlefield — with large swaths of Ukrainian land changing hands in offensives and counteroffensives in the early years of the war — have since given way to a conflict of inches.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint requested that the judge find the administration’s policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments and bar it from being implemented.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
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The attack on the oil depots could be construed as chemical warfare, which violates international law, because the aggressors likely knew the hazards the civilians who live in Tehran would face, Cleetus said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Benedict isn’t having it and storms out before Colin even comes back with drinks.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But the deeper wound comes after Bree storms out.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When will these onslaughts of cold end?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assaults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assaults. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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