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View synonyms for

assault

[ uh-sawlt ]

noun

  1. a sudden, violent attack; onslaught:

    an assault on tradition.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  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.


verb (used with object)

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

assault

/ əˈɔː /

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
    1. the culmination of a military attack, in which fighting takes place at close quarters
    2. ( as modifier )

      assault troops

  3. rape or attempted rape
“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

verb

  1. to make an assault upon
  2. to rape or attempt to rape
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈܱپ, adjective
  • ˈܱٱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ܱa· adjective
  • ·ܱİ noun
  • dzܲt··ܱ verb (used with object) noun
  • ԴDza·ܱ noun
  • un·ܱa· adjective
  • ܲa·ܱĻ adjective
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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 ī “to attack, jump on,” replacing Latin ī, both ultimately from Latin as- as- + ī “to jump, leap”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of assault1

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

See attack.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A wave of Section 117 challenges could further isolate institutions already under assault.

From

Since March there has been a series of assaults, shootings and firebombing incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

From

He was charged with assaulting officers "using a dangerous weapon" and other violent crimes.

From

It was one of the deadliest Russian assaults on the Ukrainian capital in months.

From

He has previously been convicted of and served time for assault with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence, felony vandalism and a hit-and-run, according to court records.

From

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Assateague Islandassault and battery