ASSAILS Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

assails

verb

present tense third-person singular of assail

as in attacks

to criticize harshly and usually publicly the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in assaults

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

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 assails The war in Gaza has become a dividing line between the two candidates, both of whom are Jewish, as Lander assails Goldman for not being tough enough on Israel over its military action against Palestinians. — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 23 June 2026 As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assails

Verb

The hydrogen peroxide treatment then attacks the remaining dye-cotton linkages and removes residual color.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
The stories of two high schoolers, Jules and Quinn, entwine on May 1, the day a serial killer attacks one of them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Verb

Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

— Christina Fan, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026

Definition of assaults

Verb

In one of the most memorable panels in superherocomic history, Bane, having beaten Batman down in his own Batcave, lifts the hero over his head and slams him down over his knee, breaking his back.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Robin Williams' daughter slams AI videos of her father, urges fans to 'stop doing this'Need a news break?

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of slams

Verb

In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026

Definition of raids

Verb

Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolds

Verb

So, in order to make an extreme contact point work, the batter has to be able to discern balls and strikes really well.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The virus also causes a rare but fatal neurological condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which typically strikes years after a child seemingly recovers from the infection.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of strikes

Verb

Beatty’s filing also criticizes the tarps that have covered the venue’s front portico for more than two months.

— Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Lebanese leader criticizes Israel Saturday’s strikes are the deadliest since the truce went into effect two months ago.

— Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizes

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assailing

assails

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“Assails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assails. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of assails

verb

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