assailant Definition
a person who physically attacks another.
Using assailant: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "assailant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police are searching for the assailant who attacked the victim in the park.
Example
The victim was able to identify her assailant in a police lineup.
Example
The store owner fought off his assailant with a baseball bat.
assailant Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with assailant
assailant on the loose
an attacker who has not been caught by the authorities
Example
The police have issued a warning to the public about an assailant on the loose in the area.
Example
He was charged with assault and battery after attacking his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.
unarmed assailant
someone who attacks another person without using a weapon
Example
The victim was able to fend off the unarmed assailant with pepper spray.
Origins of assailant
from Old French 'assaillant', present participle of 'assaillir', meaning 'to assail'
Summary: assailant in Brief
'Assailant' [əˈseɪlənt] refers to a person who physically attacks another. It is often used in news reports and legal contexts, as in 'The victim was able to identify her assailant in a police lineup.' Synonyms include 'attacker,' 'aggressor,' and 'mugger.' Phrases like 'assailant on the loose' and 'assault and battery' extend the term's usage to describe situations where physical violence has occurred or is threatened.
