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
Many independent observers have assailed the exercise as a triumph of politics over justice — and a potentially fatal blow for the separation of powers, a crucial pillar of democratic rule.
—
Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has set the tone by assailing his former colleague Jennifer Griffin (Fox’s national security correspondent) and other journalists.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Democrats in Congress immediately assailed the package as an attack on health coverage for vulnerable populations.
—Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025
After all, Trump pardoned almost 1,600 people charged with assailing the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has set the tone by assailing his former colleague Jennifer Griffin (Fox’s national security correspondent) and other journalists.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Democrats in Congress immediately assailed the package as an attack on health coverage for vulnerable populations.
—Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025
After all, Trump pardoned almost 1,600 people charged with assailing the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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In a May 2, 2017 text, Ventura was clear with Khorram that Combs allegedly attacked her.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
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Even after December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked some of the territories that McKinley had claimed—Hawaii, the Philippines, and Guam—people from Kansas or California didn’t necessarily see any reason to don uniforms.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Verb
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After a local teenager was accused of assaulting a white woman, however, white men massacred its citizens, and burned the neighborhood to the ground in one of the most violent episodes in modern American history.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
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Some will be charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
14 June 2025
Verb
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After the period, the TNT crew scolded Luostarinen for not keeping his stick on the ice.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
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The estranged wife of actor Scott Wolf was seemingly detained by law enforcement during an Instagram livestream, during which she can be heard scolding officers and alleging she was abused.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Immigration authorities, wearing bulletproof vests and other tactical gear, recently raided a popular San Diego Italian restaurant.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
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Court revives suit over wrong-house raid WASHINGTON -- An Atlanta family whose home was wrongly raided by the FBI will get a new day in court, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
Verb
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But, in the end, Berg’s life became proof of a darker truth, one that is newly relevant in the Trump era: doors that swing open can also slam shut.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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President Donald Trump said his close relationship with Elon Musk might be over after the world's richest man and former top White House adviser spent the past few days slamming the president's signature tax and policy bill.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Additionally, there is also a 46% probability that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake will hit L.A. and a 31% chance a 7.5 magnitude quake will strike during that same period.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
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The network added that the raids struck three separate sites on Friday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Of course, there are his pardons for more than 1,500 people convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the transfer of power after Trump lost his reelection bid.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Lochte initially claimed he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint, but it was determined those with the guns were actually security guards at a gas station where the swimmers had urinated outside a bathroom.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2025
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He was robbed of an extra-base hit by Victor Scott II in center field and Nolan Arenado took away another hit.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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