Assail vs. Assault
Assailverb
(transitive) To attack with harsh words or violent force.
Assailverb
To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with blows; to assail a city with artillery.
Assailverb
To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
Assailverb
To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse, ridicule, and the like.
Assailverb
attack someone physically or emotionally;
Assailverb
launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with;
Assailverb
attack in speech or writing;
Assailverb
make a concerted or violent attack on
Assailverb
(of an unpleasant feeling or physical sensation) come upon (someone) suddenly and strongly
Assailverb
criticize strongly
Assaultnoun
A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.
Assaultnoun
A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, for example words, arguments, appeals, and the like
Assaultnoun
An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
Assaultnoun
The crime whose action is such an attempt.
Assaultnoun
An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
Assaultnoun
The tort whose action is such an act.
Assaultnoun
(fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
Assaultverb
(transitive) To attack, physically or figuratively.
Assaultverb
(transitive) To threaten or harass.
Assaultnoun
A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
Assaultnoun
A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.
Assaultnoun
An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.
Assaultverb
To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces.
Assaultverb
To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a reputation or an administration.
Assaultnoun
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
Assaultnoun
a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
Assaultnoun
thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946
Assaultnoun
the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
Assaultverb
attack someone physically or emotionally;
Assaultverb
force (someone) to have sex against their will;
Assaultverb
attack in speech or writing;
Assaultverb
make a physical attack on
Assaultverb
carry out a military attack or raid on (an enemy position)
Assaultverb
bombard with something undesirable or unpleasant
Assaultnoun
a physical attack
Assaultnoun
an act that threatens physical harm to a person, whether or not actual harm is done
Assaultnoun
a military attack or raid on an enemy position
Assaultnoun
a strong verbal attack
Assaultnoun
a concerted attempt to do something demanding
Assault
An assault is the act of inflicting physical harm or unwanted physical contact upon a person or, in some specific legal definitions, a threat or attempt to commit such an action. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, or both.
