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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 June 2025
Anyone who assaulted the Senator should be held accountable.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 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
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, said Combs physically assaulted her on one occasion in June 2024.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 June 2025
Anyone who assaulted the Senator should be held accountable.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
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On Wednesday, the jury had yet to reach a verdict on rape in the third degree, but jurors were sent home midday amid concerns about fighting and tensions in the jury room.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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But the trial continued, and the jury began Wednesday by re-hearing Mann’s testimony about Weinstein’s alleged rape in 2013.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Try supplements: Certain supplements, such as Riboflavin and CoQ10, can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.—
Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
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Gangs control at least 85% of its capital, Port-au-Prince, and have launched attacks in the country’s central region in recent years.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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In its petition, the questions presented by CCB were: Does a state violate the First Amendment’s Religion Clauses by denying a religious organization an otherwise-available tax exemption because the organization does not meet the state’s criteria for religious behavior?—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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If an interaction that violates our Community Guidelines occurs, report it to us.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
5 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
Noun
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Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
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Consequences: Recognize and reward positive behaviors and address violations through appropriate accountability measures.—
Stephen M. Paskoff,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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While an onslaught of craft marketing has hit consumers now, the playbook is not new.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
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And this is coming from a community that already dealt with an onslaught from Gov. Ron DeSantis over the past three years.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Whether that’s a trial site, a community center or the patient’s workplace, this model removes friction from both ends: Participants aren’t forced to travel, and sponsors don’t have to wait for overwhelmed sites to come online.—
Sonali Bloom,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
10 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
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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