assault

[ uh-sawlt ]

noun

1. a sudden, violent attack; onslaught:

   an assault on tradition.

   Synonyms: aggression, invasion, charge, onset

2. 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.
3. Military. the stage of close combat in an attack.
4. rape ¹.

verb (used with object)

1. to make an assault upon; attack; assail.

assault

/ əˈsɔːlt /

noun

1. a violent attack, either physical or verbal
2. law an intentional or reckless act that causes another person to expect to be subjected to immediate and unlawful violence Compare battery assault and battery
3. 1. the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters
   2. ( as modifier )

      assault troops

4. rape or attempted rape

verb

1. to make an assault upon
2. to rape or attempt to rape

Derived Forms

• asˈsaultive, adjective
• asˈsaulter, noun

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of assault¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English asaut, from Old French, from Medieval Latin assaltus “attacked,” past participle of assalīre “to attack, jump on,” replacing Latin assilīre, both ultimately from Latin as- as- + salīre “to jump, leap”

Word History and Origins

Origin of assault¹

C13: from Old French asaut, from Vulgar Latin assaltus (unattested), from assalīre (unattested) to leap upon; see assail

Synonym Study

See attack.

Example Sentences

If GOP lawmakers are going to express reservations about Gaetz on those grounds, she said, then they should be ready to explain their alleged coverups of “sexual harassment and assault claims” using taxpayer money.

From Salon

In 2017, police in Monterey, California, investigated Hegseth for an “alleged sexual assault,” a fact that only came to light a day after he was nominated for Defense secretary.

From Salon

Since Panorama’s initial investigation, the school and gym have shut down, and three former school employees have been charged with offences including assault and abusive behaviour.

From BBC

The Israeli peace activist had been helping Palestinian farmers pick their olives when she was assaulted without provocation.

From BBC

She will spearhead the Trump administration’s education policies, which could reshape federal financial aid, federal research funding and civil rights for LGBTQ+ people and those accused of sexual assault.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abuse
• invade
• rape
• shoot down
• violate