assault
noun
a sudden, violent attack; onslaught.
have assaulted
-
present perfectof assault.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
O’Hara said he believed there was a broom and snow shovel at the scene of the shooting and that at least one person might have assaulted federal law-enforcement officers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
Singer asserted that Travolta was on the East Coast at the time of the alleged encounter and therefore couldn’t have assaulted the massage therapists in Beverly Hills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2023
Attorney General Merrick Garland asked Wednesday for the public’s help in identifying hundreds of suspects who were photographed but haven’t been arrested, including about 250 who are believed to have assaulted police officers.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 5, 2022
Remember that in nondiabetic people, Mallone found T cells that could have assaulted beta cells, but they held their fire.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 14, 2021
Under this head Dickens in particular has been assaulted; I have assaulted him myself.
From The Author's Craft by Arnold Bennett
