assailant
noun
as·sail·ant
ə-ˈsā-lənt 
plural assailants
: 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
Jennifer BaumgardnerDetectives speculated that she may have been punched on the chin, perhaps knocked unconscious by her assailant.—Joseph Wambaugh
Joseph WambaughExamples of assailant in a Sentence
the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at my assailant
Recent Examples on the Web
The assailant, David Wayne DePape, was subsequently prosecuted and sentenced to life in prison.
—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
After arming himself, Achilles is recognized by his assailants.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 July 2026
In a further interview that night, the victim named Fuller, Brown and Mumphrey as the assailants.
—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
The state also sought to undercut the defense theory that the DNA could point to an unknown suspect, arguing that trace DNA under fingernails does not automatically suggest a struggle with an assailant.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for assailant
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Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
After arming himself, Achilles is recognized by his assailants.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 July 2026
In a further interview that night, the victim named Fuller, Brown and Mumphrey as the assailants.
—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
The state also sought to undercut the defense theory that the DNA could point to an unknown suspect, arguing that trace DNA under fingernails does not automatically suggest a struggle with an assailant.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for assailant
Cite this Entry
“Assailant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assailant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
assailant
noun
as·sail·ant
ə-ˈsā-lənt
: a person who commits criminal assault
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