assailant

noun

as·​sail·​ant ə-ˈsā-lənt How to pronounce assailant (audio)
plural assailants
Synonyms of assailantnext
: a person who attacks someone violently
an assault by an unknown assailant
She could identify the assailant and his two accomplices, and she wanted to press charges.—Jennifer Baumgardner
Detectives speculated that she may have been punched on the chin, perhaps knocked unconscious by her assailant.—Joseph Wambaugh

Synonyms of assailant

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Examples of assailant in a Sentence

the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at my assailant
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, the assailants completed the early morning heist in under four minutes. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 The assailant was arrested, and thankfully, no one was injured. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The assailant’s vehicle was spotted on the south side of the city, and officers were looking for the assailant, Carter said. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Police have not yet said what led to the fight and if the victim knew the assailant. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assailant

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assailant was in 1523

Rhymes for assailant

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Browse Nearby Words

assailable
assailant
assailment
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Cite this Entry

“Assailant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assailant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

assailant

noun
as·​sail·​ant ə-ˈsā-lənt How to pronounce assailant (audio)
: a person who commits criminal assault
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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