ASSAULT Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'assault' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assault are assail , attack , bombard , and storm . While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught. // commandos assaulted the building from all sides

Q: When could 'assail' be used to replace 'assault'?

While the synonyms assail and assault are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots. // assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Q: When is it sensible to use 'attack' instead of 'assault'?

Although the words attack and assault have much in common, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. // plan to attack the town at dawn

Q: When would 'bombard' be a good substitute for 'assault'?

The words bombard and assault are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells. // bombarded the city nightly

Q: When is 'storm' a more appropriate choice than 'assault'?

The words storm and assault can be used in similar contexts, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position. // preparing to storm the fortress

assault 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈsȯlt

Definition of assault

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

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

assault

2 of 2

verb

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

as in to violate

to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent was registered as a sex offender after assaulting the victim

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assault contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assault are assail, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When could assail be used to replace assault?

While the synonyms assail and assault are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use attack instead of assault?

Although the words attack and assault have much in common, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When would bombard be a good substitute for assault?

The words bombard and assault are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is storm a more appropriate choice than assault?

The words storm and assault can be used in similar contexts, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

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 assault

Noun

If found guilty, Martin faces up to 10 years in prison on the involuntary manslaughter charge, up to seven years on the assault charge and between three years and 15 years on the armed criminal action charges, according to court documents. — Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Six years after the assault, Railey was tried and found not guilty. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Two juveniles assaulted an employee at a Cabarrus County detention center, stole his keys and trapped him in a room before releasing other inmates, state officials confirmed. — Nora O’Neill 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 But Doe told officers she was assaulted at the fraternity’s address on that same block, according to the lawsuit. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assault

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault

Noun

On three separate occasions in the past week, Ukraine didn’t receive early warnings about missile attacks.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
OpenCode had been running its defense with an OpenAI model, which started to refuse its requests in the middle of the attack.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Thrifting, attending clothing swaps and raiding friends' and family members' closets are all ways to avoid buying new costumes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Thieves raided a jewelry store in a crash-and-grab burglary in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood early Tuesday morning.

— Desiree Evans, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

Meta has long been criticized for its data privacy practices, and on Wednesday, a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $25 billion for violating the state’s consumer protection laws.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
The company had previously said a penalty in the billions of dollars risked violating its constitutional rights to due process and protection from excessive fines.

— Reuters, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of violate

Noun

Ukrainian officials say that the offensive has disrupted Russia’s assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, key Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region.

— Anastasiia Parafeniuk, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Leaders contemplating an October surprise or an offensive after the midterms must remember that uncomfortable truth.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

The twins also face two pending rape cases in Florida state court.

— Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rape

Verb

Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.

— ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Republicans stormed to their first majority in the House (54 seats net) in 40 years and recaptured the Senate with eight new seats there as well.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of storm

Verb

Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of force

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assassins

assault

assault boat

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“Assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of assault

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing assault

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