assault 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈsȯlt How to pronounce assault (audio)
Definition of assaultnext
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

assault

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rape
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent was registered as a sex offender after assaulting the victim

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assault contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assault are assail, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When could assail be used to replace assault?

While the synonyms assail and assault are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use attack instead of assault?

Although the words attack and assault have much in common, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When would bombard be a good substitute for assault?

The words bombard and assault are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is storm a more appropriate choice than assault?

The words storm and assault can be used in similar contexts, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
In both cases, the women were at bars in Denver, got separated from their groups and were assaulted in a dark-colored car by a white man, according to the arrest affidavit. — Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025 The woman who Daniel Everts, now 30, allegedly assaulted filed a federal lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County in 2019. — Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
  1. rape
  2. attack
  3. violate
  4. raid
  5. violation
  6. onslaught
  7. force
  8. storm
Noun
  • Several celebrities have opened up about their experiences with Diddy, specifically his parties, since the Bad Boy co-founder was accused of rape, assault, and more.
    — Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • That announcement on his first day in office gave clemency to more than 1,500 Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists and protesters for their assault on the U.S. Capitol — including some convicted for beating police and with prior convictions for such crimes as rape, manslaughter and domestic violence.
    — Bill Hamilton, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of rape
Noun
  • The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships are allegedly in protest of Elon Musk‘s efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government through pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Without a life rights agreement, storytellers will need to take greater care that nothing in the work defames the subject or violates their privacy, among other things.
    — Legal Entertainment, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The order violates core constitutional rights, including the rights to free speech and due process.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of violate
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of raid
Noun
  • Our goal every game is to force our opponents have a shot clock violation (90 seconds).
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for Feb. 23th - March 8th, 2025.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • The source of the misunderstanding appears to be a map in the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac that incorrectly states that Maryland can expect an onslaught of Brood XIV (14) cicadas this year.
    — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Gascón, the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Academy Award, faced an onslaught of backlash after old social media posts about George Floyd and Islam came to light.
    — Tracy Wright, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of onslaught
Verb
  • However, much to her dismay, she was then forced to treat Damien amid the chaos at the hospital as the heat dome in Seattle continued.
    — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • You are not forced to go far away to film something that’s far.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of force
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of storm

Phrases Containing assault

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Cite this Entry

“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assault

Nglish: Translation of assault for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assault

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