assault
noun
a sudden, violent attack; onslaught.
were assaulting
-
past progressiveof assault.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Unrestrained consumption, technological wizardry and unchecked growth were assaulting the nation’s natural resources.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 22, 2022
Most of the fatalities were among the Iranian-backed rebels, who were assaulting the city of Rahbah, officials said.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 2, 2021
The Houthis and their allies were assaulting the airport in Aden, which Hadi had declared his temporary capital after being driven from Sanaa.
From Reuters ● Mar. 9, 2016
The Germans were assaulting them from both land and air: “In a five-second decision, Dad signaled his six boats to turn around and to head for a less hostile territory two miles up the coast.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 13, 2015
French, British, and Belgian armies, meanwhile, were assaulting German defenses along the rest of the Western Front.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
