1
as in rape
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 attack
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
2
as in to attack
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 assault
Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023
Within days of his assault on White, Seneca allegedly attempted to kidnap a different man and allegedly kidnapped another, the Justice Department said in a previous statement.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2023
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article What should be a joyous day celebrating Irish heritage in Southie yet again devolved into chaos at times, as police made numerous arrests and were allegedly assaulted by underage drinkers.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Noun
That is why the Fed is taking a cautious stance and trying to avoid pulling back prematurely from its assault on inflation.
—Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023
Within days of his assault on White, Seneca allegedly attempted to kidnap a different man and allegedly kidnapped another, the Justice Department said in a previous statement.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2023
Verb
The actress accompanied Majors to court in 2023 after he was charged with assaulting his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, during a car ride in New York.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article What should be a joyous day celebrating Irish heritage in Southie yet again devolved into chaos at times, as police made numerous arrests and were allegedly assaulted by underage drinkers.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
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Death row inmate Jessie Hoffman was convicted of the brutal rape and murder of 28-year-old Molly Elliott in 1996.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
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Rodger Brown, from Pinehurst, was identified as the suspect in the 1979 rape and murder of Kathryn Donohue who was 31-years-old at the time, Prince George’s County police in Maryland said in a March 18 news release.—
Natalie Demaree,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Palestine Red Crescent Society said four of its ambulances had been surrounded after responding to an Israeli attack in Rafah.—
Abeer Salman,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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Astringent attack followed by a dense, chewy and edgy mid palate rich with flavors of fudge, chocolate and black cherries; on the finish—toffee, brownies and an explosion of red cherries.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Typically, the Office for Civil Rights investigates a complaint and finds out whether a school or district has violated its obligation to serve students with disabilities.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
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The latest case before the court involves Louisiana's congressional map, which was redrawn last year to add a second majority-Black district to comply with Section 2, but then was found to be a racial gerrymander that violated the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Police allegedly seize over 17 pound of cannabis while executing a search warrant at a Norwalk smoke shop that has been raided three times.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2025
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After raiding the crown jewels for just about every live-action reboot imaginable, Disney has finally gotten around to the one that started it all, the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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State investigators found numerous violations there, including a rat infestation, medications not being properly administered, inoperable emergency pull cords in some bedrooms and neglected residents.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Inspectors found seven violations, three of which were high priorities.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And the recent onslaught of free-agent additions could just be the start of building up a unit that struggled mightily last season.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2025
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Southwest is already preparing its employees for an onslaught of customer luggage at the gate.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Her story forced the country to confront a flawed legal system and the cultural discomfort with women who challenged it.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Trump's threat, if carried out, would force these countries to choose between Russian energy and access to the American market.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Israel launched its initial assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA TODAY,
23 Mar. 2025
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The Bulldogs stormed back and cut the lead to one with 29 seconds left after both teams exchanged buckets for several minutes.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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