assailant

[ uh-sey-luhnt ]

noun

1. a person who attacks.

adjective

1. Archaic. assailing; attacking; hostile.

assailant

/ əˈseɪlənt /

noun

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

   he was unable to recognize his assailants

Word History and Origins

Origin of assailant¹

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

Example Sentences

The slew of robberies took place from June through November, when two assailants would approach victims in a gray Ford Focus, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

Two people were shot and killed after they were approached by a group of assailants in Mount Washington early Thursday, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

But with Trump, it makes a sick sort of sense, beyond even his history as a serial sexual assailant.

From Salon

The victim’s screams ultimately saved him, as a bystander stepped in, subdued the attacker and held him at bay for the remaining three hours until the assailant was arrested upon landing, the agent alleged.

From Los Angeles Times

The GOP nominated a candidate who ushered in abortion bans and is, by his own account and in a court of law, a sexual assailant.

From Salon

Related Words

• aggressor
• mugger