noun

assailant

uh-SAY-luhnt

noun

A person who physically attacks another person.

"Police are still searching for the assailant."

"The victim described her assailant to the officers."

How to Use Assailant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who attacks another person, usually reported in a news or legal context.

When to use it

Fairly formal; commonly used in news reports and police statements rather than everyday speech, where 'attacker' is more common.

assailants plural

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Police are still searching for the _____.

From Old French assaillant, from a verb meaning "to attack," ultimately from Latin salire, "to jump."

vigilant