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

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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

The shortage is costing Ukraine most acutely, where cities some nights appear defenseless to Moscow’s rocket assaults. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day. — Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Threats Are Outpacing Change In The Merchant Marine Complex and wide-ranging assaults on cargo vessels are consigned virtually every peacetime cargo-carrier’s operational assumptions into a messy obsolescence. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Two of the six players charged were 18 at the time of the assaults. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Chicagoans hear reports of assaults on trains and violent robberies in places like Wicker Park and mass shootings on the South and West sides, which have also crept into the Loop. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Phillips was considered the most gifted running back prospect of his generation but domestic violence, assaults, probation violations, prison sentences, and ultimately a murder charge overshadowed the talent. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Kuwait’s military said Saturday that its forces were responding to drone attacks, which were part of Iran’s assaults on the country. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 New attacks on Kuwait and on shipping Kuwait’s military said Saturday that its forces were responding to drone attacks which were part of Iran’s assaults on the country. — Samy Magdy, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 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

It’s designed to limit TAPPS rule violations and relies more on fact than the UIL’s process, which is designed to allow coaches to voice their opinions if necessary.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026
Sources say that the information sharing included details about immigrants who are just suspected of civil immigration violations, such as overstaying their visa.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of violations

Noun

Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
The attacks come as tensions are rising between the government of western Libya and warlord Mohamed Bahroun, who controls the city of Zawiya.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 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

Lawsuits have been filed arguing this level of surveillance violates drivers' Fourth Amendment rights in Virginia and California and challenging the deployment of this technology in New York, South Carolina and West Virginia.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Now, Pewitt, 51, formerly of Hammond, is asking for the Porter County charge, for allegedly shooting at a sheriff’s deputy, to be dismissed because the delay violates Pewitt’s right to a speedy trial, according to the filing.

— Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 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