assail

[ uh-seyl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to attack vigorously or violently; assault.
2. to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.:

   to assail one's opponent with slander.

   Synonyms: malign, asperse

3. to undertake with the purpose of mastering:

   He assailed his studies with new determination.

4. to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset:

   His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments.

   The light assailed their eyes.

assail

/ əˈseɪl /

verb

1. to attack violently; assault
2. to criticize or ridicule vehemently, as in argument
3. to beset or disturb

   his mind was assailed by doubts

4. to encounter with the intention of mastering

   to assail a problem

   to assail a difficult mountain ridge

Derived Forms

• asˈsailable, adjective
• asˈsailer, noun
• asˈsailment, noun

Other Words From

• as·saila·ble adjective
• as·saila·ble·ness noun
• as·sailer noun
• as·sailment noun
• unas·sailed adjective
• unas·sailing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assail¹

1175–1225; Middle English asaylen < Old French asalir < Late Latin assalīre, equivalent to Latin as- as- + salīre to leap, spring

Word History and Origins

Origin of assail¹

C13: from Old French asalir, from Vulgar Latin assalīre (unattested) to leap upon, from Latin assilīre, from salīre to leap

Synonym Study

See attack.

Example Sentences

Go ahead, criticize the Biden administration and assail its record.

From Los Angeles Times

The problem is that Walz's cheery Midwestern normalcy has an authenticity to it that's hard to assail.

From Salon

But he expressed concern that Republicans would use the attack to assail Democrats, running the “danger of whipping up more political violence.”

From Los Angeles Times

Merchan issued Trump’s gag order on March 26, a few weeks before the start of the trial, after prosecutors raised concerns about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s propensity to assail people involved in his cases.

From Seattle Times

But Cohen's criminal record and history of lying - to Congress in 2017, and by his own admission, to a judge during his later criminal proceedings - provided ample ground for Mr Trump's attorneys to assail his trustworthiness.

From BBC

Related Words

• bash
• berate
• blast
• criticize
• impugn
• lambaste
• revile
• trash
• vilify