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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assail
Trump's associates have assailed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which have riled Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — both of whom have established a warm rapport with Trump.
—
David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
Democrats assailed the budget as a devastating foreshadowing of Trump's vision for the country.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul assailed ICE for arresting a mother and her three children, from the village of Sackets Harbor, and sending them to a Texas detention center.
—Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
Wilkinson’s conservative pedigree may complicate White House efforts to credibly assail him as a left-leaning jurist bent on thwarting the Trump administration’s agenda for political purposes, a fallback line of attack when judicial decisions run counter to the president’s wishes.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
Democrats assailed the budget as a devastating foreshadowing of Trump's vision for the country.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul assailed ICE for arresting a mother and her three children, from the village of Sackets Harbor, and sending them to a Texas detention center.
—Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
Wilkinson’s conservative pedigree may complicate White House efforts to credibly assail him as a left-leaning jurist bent on thwarting the Trump administration’s agenda for political purposes, a fallback line of attack when judicial decisions run counter to the president’s wishes.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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According to authorities, Ward told them the fight and stabbing were self-defense, claiming the mother attacked and punched her several times in the face.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
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For example, if China can pin down the United States in the Taiwan Strait, Russia and Iran may seize the moment to attack their neighbors.—
Mark Melton,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Super Bowl winner Ray Rice and Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt both assaulted women in the past, as well.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 May 2025
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Mace cites allegations that McIver assaulted federal law enforcement officers and unlawfully interfered with operations at a federal immigration detention facility in Newark.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Wildlife biologists in Florida documented a bobcat raiding a python nest back in 2021.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
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Khartoum was founded as a slave market, in 1821, and Arabs continued to raid southern areas, including the Nuba Mountains, for human chattel long after the practice was outlawed, in 1924.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
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The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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What struck me most about ETH Dublin wasn't the technology discussions, but how much everyone genuinely loved the community itself.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Any treaty struck between the United States and Iran would require a two-thirds majority vote in the upper chamber, as laid out in the Constitution and noted by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Opening day attendees who didn't storm the Ministry, however, were treated to shockingly short wait times, park-goers reported.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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In the second round of the playoffs, against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics, the script was flipped: the Knicks got down by huge margins in the first two games but came storming back for the victory in both, creating a 2–0 edge.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Biggio robbed Giants second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald in the third inning.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
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These guys robbed us — took everything, all our equipment.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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