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
By then, no official blacklist existed but she was routinely assailed by right wingers as a treasonous ingrate and tool of Hanoi.
—
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
My reasons for feeling personally assailed by attacks and inferences that DEI has contributed negatively to the quality of operations and successes of organizations that have implemented DEI philosophy and training are many.
—Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Several Democratic committee members sharply assailed the Trump administration's decision this week to effectively shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
My reasons for feeling personally assailed by attacks and inferences that DEI has contributed negatively to the quality of operations and successes of organizations that have implemented DEI philosophy and training are many.
—Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Several Democratic committee members sharply assailed the Trump administration's decision this week to effectively shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assail
Verb
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When Jensen then decides to go long, Collins and Pinnock move towards the near post and Wissa adjusts his position to be able to attack the second ball.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration has attacked DEI on college campuses with particular zeal, threatening investigations, lawsuits and canceled federal funding.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump has reportedly used denialism – about Joe Biden winning the 2020 election and that Jan. 6 entailed pro-Trump protesters violently assaulting police officers – to help vet appointees for senior national security and intelligence posts.—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
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When his mother tried to protect him, the group assaulted her, and ran off before police arrived.—
Robert Salonga,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this week, the U.N. humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) reported that armed men had raided at least two hospitals in North Kivu’s capital Goma, abducting dozens of patients.—
Paul Tilsley,
Fox News,
9 Mar. 2025
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Gregorios Bishara, priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, was martyred this morning at the hands of the pro-HTS armed factions that raided the city of Baniyas.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But as the aircraft was climbing back into the air, the left wing of the twin-jet slammed into the runway.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2025
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But art is never apolitical, and in eastern Congo, slam often intertwines with activism.—
Patricia Huon,
The Christian Science Monitor,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And in the last year- and-a-half, last 18 months, the Houthis have struck or attacked 174 Naval vessels of the United States, attacking the U.S. Navy directly 174 times.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2025
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Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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All passengers were asked to remain seated, but Augustin allegedly stormed to the front of the plane while holding onto his sister.—
Pilar Arias,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
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In just his second year, using the transfer portal as well as anyone to accelerate the rebuild, Pitino’s Johnnies stormed through the Big East, matching UConn’s record for wins in the conference (18) which was set during the Huskies’ historically dominant 2023-24 season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The two used threatening notes to rob a Bank of America and an East West Bank in San Francisco on Nov. 19, 2022, netting a sum total of $2,600.—
Nate Gartrell,
The Mercury News,
13 Mar. 2025
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Newly divorced and having lost his job, Coop decides to start robbing his rich neighbors.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assail. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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