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
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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
1
2
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
was found guilty of assaulting an officer enemy forces assaulted the city
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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
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 May 2025
The Justice Department charged a New Jersey congresswoman with assaulting federal agents during a clash outside a Newark ICE detention center.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 20 May 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
The charges were brought after Barnett’s former partner filed a police report on April 25 alleging that the Love Island star assaulted her on April 10 during an argument in front of their child.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 May 2025
The Justice Department charged a New Jersey congresswoman with assaulting federal agents during a clash outside a Newark ICE detention center.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault
Noun
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Meanwhile, Tristan is facing 11 charges including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking, which are connected to allegations from a sole victim.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
29 May 2025
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There also is a warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from an incident in November, the parish's sheriff's office told USA TODAY.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Noun
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But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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The Pacers, behind an unrelenting uptempo attack and superior depth, have won the third and fourth quarters in both games, as well as overtime in Game 1.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Verb
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In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
The refrigerator was not cold enough and two cats roamed the shop, violating state food code.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Wildlife biologists in Florida documented a bobcat raiding a python nest back in 2021.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
-
Khartoum was founded as a slave market, in 1821, and Arabs continued to raid southern areas, including the Nuba Mountains, for human chattel long after the practice was outlawed, in 1924.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Noun
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In the meantime, the city has received several reports of property violations in recent years on 925 Grand: piles of bird droppings, falling debris, people entering through unsecured entrances.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
26 May 2025
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All appeals have been dropped, though the 30 Rock actor and now reality star in January filed paperwork to pursue a civil rights violations lawsuit against the special prosecutors.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
25 May 2025
Noun
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The offensive onslaught started with seven runs through two innings, and the Bearcats put the game out of reach by adding seven runs in the fifth inning.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 May 2025
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The Cruel World onslaught on the Bay Area keeps right on rolling along, with so many acts playing the big ’80s music festival in Pasadena also performing dates up north.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Set in the winter of 1591, the play unfolds across three clandestine meetings where the rival playwrights are forced into creative collaboration amid a climate of conspiracy and paranoia.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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The prospect of a New York team with an identity forged from refusing to yield under pressure forcing an anxiety-inducing Game 7 at Madison Square Garden looms large.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Opening day attendees who didn't storm the Ministry, however, were treated to shockingly short wait times, park-goers reported.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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In the second round of the playoffs, against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics, the script was flipped: the Knicks got down by huge margins in the first two games but came storming back for the victory in both, creating a 2–0 edge.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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