assault

[uh-sawlt]

noun

1. a sudden, violent attack; onslaught.

   an assault on tradition.

   Synonyms: aggression, invasion, charge, onset

2. Law.,  an unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.

3. Military.,  the stage of close combat in an attack.

4. rape.

verb (used with object)

1. to make an assault upon; attack; assail.

assault

/ əˈsɔːlt /

noun

1. a violent attack, either physical or verbal

2. law an intentional or reckless act that causes another person to expect to be subjected to immediate and unlawful violence Compare battery assault and battery

3. 1. the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters

   2. ( as modifier )

      assault troops

4. rape or attempted rape

verb

1. to make an assault upon

2. to rape or attempt to rape

Other Word Forms

• assaultable adjective
• assaulter noun
• counterassault verb (used with object)
• nonassault noun
• unassaultable adjective
• unassaulted adjective
• assaultive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assault¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English asaut, from Old French, from Medieval Latin assaltus “attacked,” past participle of assalīre “to attack, jump on,” replacing Latin assilīre, both ultimately from Latin as- as- + salīre “to jump, leap”

Word History and Origins

Origin of assault¹

C13: from Old French asaut, from Vulgar Latin assaltus (unattested), from assalīre (unattested) to leap upon; see _assail

Synonym Study

See attack.

Example Sentences

The staff shortage was one of the reasons Ortega personally defended the case that found his client innocent of assaulting a Border Patrol agent.

From Los Angeles Times

Six of those detained were arrested for assaults on police officers.

From BBC

It was not only an "assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity", he added.

From BBC

"I strongly implore Democrats to stand firm and not cave to the continued assault on healthcare and affordability for everyday Americans," they said.

From BBC

They breached security barriers and violently assaulted police, forcing members of Congress and their staffers to evacuate the Capitol complex.

From Salon

Related Words

• aggression 
• charge 
• incursion 
• invasion 
• offensive 
• onslaught 
• rape 
• strike 
• violation