What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stabber
Example
The police are searching for the stabber who attacked the victim last night. [stabber: noun]
Example
He was arrested for being the stabber in the recent string of attacks. [stabber: noun]
assailant
Example
The victim was unable to identify her assailant due to the darkness. [assailant: noun]
Example
The police are still searching for the assailant who attacked the elderly man. [assailant: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Assailant is a more commonly used term than stabber in everyday language. Assailant is a versatile term that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while stabber is less common and more specific to violent crimes involving sharp objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stabber and assailant?
Both stabber and assailant are formal terms that are typically used in legal or law enforcement contexts. However, assailant is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels than stabber.