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
The 3,400 men of the 116th were assaulting a three-mile stretch of Omaha Beach that was separated by several “draws,” or pathways, leading inland from the water.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 3, 2019
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
