1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violation
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
1
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
was found guilty of assaulting an officer enemy forces assaulted the city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assault
Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire in the first days of the conflict in the midst of an Iranian air assault.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Most of the incidents had not resulted in physical injuries; in some cases, prosecutors charged people for assaulting agents with such weapons as a tambourine, an umbrella, and a Subway sandwich.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assault
Noun
He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing arrest.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire in the first days of the conflict in the midst of an Iranian air assault.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Bill Essayli posted on X that federal agents have video footage of people assaulting officers.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Most of the incidents had not resulted in physical injuries; in some cases, prosecutors charged people for assaulting agents with such weapons as a tambourine, an umbrella, and a Subway sandwich.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
-
Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials are seeking help from the public in locating a pair of dogs that were recently involved in an attack on a wild burro, part of a series of attacks on the creatures dating back to late 2025.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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His two-run single helped Andrew go up 5-0 after the first, and his versatility is a key component of the Thunderbolts’ attack.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Now called The Palms — records show the home changed ownership both in 2018 and 2019 — the ALF has been cited by health regulators for 90 violations since 2012.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The couple had four eggs this season, but two were destroyed when their nest was raided by ravens.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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After the service at Kheimeh Molaghat, over coffee and sweets in the church fellowship hall, Bahraman recounted how armed Iranian forces raided the home of his parents about 15 years ago, because their family had converted to Christianity.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Uthmeier said the Rooney Rule violates Florida law.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Killing a civilian scientist would violate international law.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Netanyahu’s announcement is likely to intensify fears that Israel intends to model its invasion of southern Lebanon on its yearslong military offensive in the Gaza Strip.—
Charlene Gubash,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Rapid Support Forces and their allies in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North launched a major offensive on Saturday on Dilling, the capital of South Kordofan province.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 1991 movie stars Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden, the one-time public defender who Cady haunts, blaming his long prison incarceration for rape on purposefully faulty defense tactics.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Some had their hands tied behind their backs, and others showed signs of torture or rape.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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UConn Huskies stormed back from the dead, erasing a massive deficit before freshman Braylon Mullins buried a 35-foot buzzer-beater to seal a stunning 73–72 win in the Elite Eight.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Fungi aren’t literally storming areas like rain or hail, but storms act as the vehicle while the spores supply the threat.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The other key will be avoiding turnovers, as South Carolina is forcing more than 18 per game.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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