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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assault
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
Bailey Richards, People.com, 6 July 2025
Chris Brown pled guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna back in 2009, an infamous case that tarnishes Brown’s reputation to this day.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 2019, Turpin pleaded guilty to assault charges for an October 2018 incident involving his longtime girlfriend, NBC 5 reported at the time.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 6 July 2025
Chris Brown pled guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna back in 2009, an infamous case that tarnishes Brown’s reputation to this day.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
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From 21 March on, the gang launched attacks against several areas in the communes of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite and Marchand Dessalines.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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In one attack in late January, Russian drones hit an apartment complex in an overnight attack, killing nine people and injuring 13.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The list obtained by the Herald/Times states that his uncle, Denis Alcides Solis Morales, has immigration violations and makes no mention of convictions or pending criminal charges.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
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Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management, helped facilitate the tour and told lawmakers that those with yellow wristbands, the lowest level, had committed noncriminal offenses such as traffic violations.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Verb
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According to a spokesperson for the National Police Association, there are too many people violating home detention in Maryland who are committing crimes while wearing their ankle monitors.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
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Police can issue citations to self-driving vehicles' registered owners under a variety of circumstances, including if the car violates a traffic law resulting in a collision.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Bread and milk were in short supply after worried customers raided shelves at grocery stores and bakeries.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
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His story came into the spotlight after law enforcement raided Jamaica's Atlantis Leadership Academy.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Noun
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The show issued a similar warning to viewers last year before the season six reunion as contestants had received an onslaught of online criticism.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Miller and his platoon not only survive the onslaught in Normandy, but they are tasked with the unthinkable.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Noun
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An investigation was started in February 2022 after the first report of rape was made, the police said, adding that Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
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Sergio Esquivel-Aguilar, 19, was charged with felony counts of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, and second-degree robbery, as well as two misdemeanor gun possession counts.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Farmland and ranch properties, typically large and illiquid assets, have historically forced family sales to cover estate tax obligations.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Initially, the plant’s staff was overwhelmed, forcing Motorola to briefly backtrack on its promise to deliver phones to customers within four days.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Is it expected to storm over the weekend in Grand Rapids?—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
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Just over 1 kilometer to the west on Hardware Lane – one of the city’s most popular areas for restaurants and nightlife – about 20 protesters stormed into an Israeli restaurant, chanting slogans, police said.—
Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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