1
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against
the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assail
And why, in a moment of barbed stories assailing theatrical movie budgets and picture pickers, theatrical moviegoing’s future falls to its best artists, and the studio execs who bet on their big creative swings.
—
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including at multiple state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk ‘s actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights.
—Dave Collins, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
And, like the conservative Slavophile authors of that era who first formulated the nativist views that have resurged under Putin—such as the historian Mikhail Pogodin—Dugin assails the West and its values.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The first was a retweet of a posting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after Zelensky was publicly assailed by Trump and his deputy JD Vance at a meeting in the White House at the end of February.
—Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Thousands of protesters in cities dotting the nation from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, including at multiple state capitols, assailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk ‘s actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights.
—Dave Collins, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
And, like the conservative Slavophile authors of that era who first formulated the nativist views that have resurged under Putin—such as the historian Mikhail Pogodin—Dugin assails the West and its values.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The first was a retweet of a posting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after Zelensky was publicly assailed by Trump and his deputy JD Vance at a meeting in the White House at the end of February.
—Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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May 8 India fires attack drones into Pakistan, killing at least two civilians, the Pakistani military says.—
Riazat Butt,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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Trump acknowledged Democrats would attack Republicans for a tax hike, and that raising taxes was blamed for former President George H.W. Bush’s reelection loss in 1992.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Verb
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The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
8 May 2025
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Jane Doe 1 worked for the Robinsons from January 2023 to February 2024 and was assaulted at least seven times by Mr. Robinson while working weekend shifts cleaning his home in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, the suit said.—
Orlando Mayorquín,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
Verb
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After performing spirited pieces from the Prime Video superhero drama at Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Television event, composers Christopher Lennertz and Matt Bowen were asked if they’ve ever been scolded for going too far with their music.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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Similar circumstances were noted at most airports across the country, with media reporting that those without a Real ID have faced little more than a scolding from TSA agents or a reminder to book an appointment soon to get a Star Card.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Authorities outfitted two of the cubs with tracking collars after the bears started wandering into the town of Jackson to raid garbage cans, compost bins and bird feeders for food.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Massachusetts Avenue eatery Millie’s was also reportedly raided Tuesday morning, with officers wielding a search warrant signed by an ICE agent — not a judge.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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The plane slammed into the two-story, single-family homes around 2:10 p.m. – igniting a fire and sending huge plumes of smoke into the air.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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In a May 1 speech that mixed politics with the inspirational language typical of commencement addresses, Trump slammed the administration of former President Joe Biden as well as judges blocking his immigration moves.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Verb
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India is one of several countries or trading blocks attempting to strike deals with the US after Trump’s sweeping set of tariffs has upended global trade.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
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In contrast, the Balakot strikes in 2019 saw India hitting locations very close to the border.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The Panthers stormed back in this series by getting the game played on their terms at Amerant Bank Arena.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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The reigning champs built substantial leads at home in both Games 1 and 2, but New York stormed back to win both those contests in stunning fashion.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Will Luka finally realize that his poor conditioning was his beloved Dallas Mavericks’ main reason for foolishly giving him away, and, while the Mavericks were robbed in the deal, all this talk of weight issues was absolutely true?—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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Police allege that shortly after midnight on April 19, Jones and Upshaw approached a Richmond resident on the 500 block of 18th Street in Uptown Oakland, and attempted to rob him for a diamond necklace.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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