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
Thomas wrote a dissenting opinion, to which Alito also attached his name, and assailed the court majority for refusing to hear Alabama's case.
—
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
The high-drama scene the mayor will be walking into is hardly his first time being assailed over immigration.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Democrats who opposed the measure assailed it as discriminatory and a waste of floor time.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025
Advocates of temperance have attacked the more positive report, while the alcohol industry assailed the more critical one.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
The high-drama scene the mayor will be walking into is hardly his first time being assailed over immigration.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Democrats who opposed the measure assailed it as discriminatory and a waste of floor time.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025
Advocates of temperance have attacked the more positive report, while the alcohol industry assailed the more critical one.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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The Ash People, who bear red headdresses and have ash smeared across their faces, then attack Jake and Neytiri with a barrage of flaming arrows.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Staffers of the event were also assaulted, the group said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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An investigation revealed the three victims were assaulted and robbed by the suspects, who are all believed to be associates of a criminal street gang, police said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
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After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chit Thu has denied knowing about or benefiting from the scamming and trafficking operations in his territory, and said in a recent press conference that the BGF is raiding the compounds with the aim of eradicating them.—
Teele Rebane,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
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People were killed after soldiers and paramilitary forces raided the neighborhood of Raboteau after a demonstration in support of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Ruffin was quick with her answer, slamming the Republican party for her removal from the WHCA dinner.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
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The country’s political leaders and car industry heavyweights have slammed Trump’s plans.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Several aftershocks have since struck nearby, including one of 6.4-magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey.—
Ross Adkin, Alex Stambaugh and Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Her latest launch is a wall paint collection, and the colors are striking.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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After Cooper Flagg knocked down a pair of free throws at the 11:54 mark to give the Blue Devils a 56-42 lead, Houston stormed back with a relentless 28-11 run to complete a stunning rally and punch their ticket to the title game.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
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Opposition lawmakers have accused Yoon of inciting his most extreme followers to violence, after a pro-Yoon mob stormed and defaced the courthouse that issued his arrest warrant in January.—
Max Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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An extremely rare inflammatory condition in his blood vessels caused several blood clots to form on both sides of his head, placing him in a coma and robbing him of the ability to speak, walk and eat.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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Their righteous scores soon turn dangerous when the pair end up robbing the wrong house to one of the biggest and secretive narcotics operations on the East coast.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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