assailant

American  

[uh-sey-luhnt] / əˈseɪ lənt /

noun

1. a person who attacks.

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adjective

1. Archaic. assailing; attacking; hostile.

assailant British  

/ əˈseɪlənt /

noun

1. a person who attacks another, either physically or verbally

   he was unable to recognize his assailants

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Etymology

Origin of assailant

From the Middle French word assaillant, dating back to 1525–35. See assail, -ant

Example Sentences

A police captain, knowing Pratt painted and drew as a hobby, asked if he’d go interview a survivor of one of these attacks in the hospital and sketch the assailant, based on the woman’s description.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since the shooting, Albanese is leading a state-federal push for stricter gun control, after the older assailant was found to have six licensed guns.

From Barron's

From behind, a bystander—the man Australian officials identified as Ahmed—bear-tackled the assailant, put him in a headlock and stripped his gun from him.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. and Syrian forces didn’t identify the assailant who was killed by Syrian forces or describe his motivations.

From The Wall Street Journal

If a person engaged in legitimate self-defense accidentally shoots a bystander, their intent—to defend against an assailant—is transferred to include the unintended victim.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aggressor
• mugger