assault
[ uh-sawlt ]
/ əˈsɔlt /
noun
a sudden, violent attack; onslaught: an assault on tradition.
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.
Military. the stage of close combat in an attack.
verb (used with object)
to make an assault upon; attack; assail.
SYNONYMS FOR assault
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of assault
1200–50; Middle English asaut<Old French <Medieval Latin assaltus (replacing Latin assultus), equivalent to Latin as-as- + saltus a leap (sal(īre) to leap + -tus suffix of v. action)
synonym study for assault
5. See attack.
OTHER WORDS FROM assault
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH assault
assault , batteryWords nearby assault
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for assault
What Is “GOP” Short For?
“Capital” vs. “Capitol”: Do You Know Where You’re Going?
Laying Down The Law On “Sedition” vs. “Treason” vs. “Insurrection” vs. “Coup”
“Have” vs. “Has”: When To Use Each One
“Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time
The People’s Choice 2020 Word Of The Year: 2020 Was A $#@#%%$@!
British Dictionary definitions for assault
assault
/ (əˈsɔːlt) /
noun
a violent attack, either physical or verbal
law an intentional or reckless act that causes another person to expect to be subjected to immediate and unlawful violenceCompare battery (def. 4), assault and battery
- the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters
- (as modifier)assault troops
rape or attempted rape
verb (tr)
to make an assault upon
to rape or attempt to rape
Derived forms of assault
assaulter, nounassaultive, adjectiveWord Origin for assault
C13: from Old French asaut, from Vulgar Latin assaltus (unattested), from assalīre (unattested) to leap upon; see assail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012