assault
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.
to make an assault upon; attack; assail.
Origin of assault
1synonym study For assault
Other words for assault
Other words from assault
- as·sault·a·ble, adjective
- as·sault·er, noun
- coun·ter·as·sault, verb (used with object), noun
- non·as·sault, noun
- un·as·sault·a·ble, adjective
- un·as·sault·ed, adjective
Words that may be confused with assault
- assault , battery
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use assault in a sentence
The assault on the GAOA was previewed the day before the election, when DOI missed a deadline to file a list of projects that would receive LWCF funding in fiscal year 2021.
A 29-year-old woman was arrested and charged with assault that occurred at this location.
A 63-year-old Falls Church man was arrested and charged with assault.
Its immune system can later launch an assault against that protein when it encounters it in the future.
New Pfizer vaccine appears 90 percent effective against COVID-19 | Erin Garcia de Jesus | November 10, 2020 | Science News For StudentsPolice arrested eight people, with charges including destruction of property and assaults on police.
Police video shows fatal crash as D.C. officers attempt to stop moped driver | Peter Hermann, Justin Jouvenal, Julie Zauzmer | October 30, 2020 | Washington Post
Weaponless, the assaulter had used his hands, and now with a knee upon Mexia's breast he strove to throttle him.
Sir Mortimer | Mary JohnstonAgain concealing the weapon within his doublet, a sudden realisation of the necessity for speed overcame the assaulter.
The Strong Arm | Robert BarrI have friends who will find means to succour and protect you, be who will your assaulter!'
The Wanderer (Volume 4 of 5) | Fanny BurneyHe calls back to Bloom that he'll keep an eye out for the female assaulter.
Shorty McCabe on the Job | Sewell Ford
British Dictionary definitions for assault
/ (əˈsɔːlt) /
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 violence: Compare 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
to make an assault upon
to rape or attempt to rape
Origin of assault
1Derived forms of assault
- assaulter, noun
- assaultive, adjective
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
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