noun
assault
uh-SOLT
noun
1
A sudden violent attack, whether physical or verbal.
"The soldiers launched an assault at dawn."
"She felt his comments were an assault on her character."
2
In law, an act that makes someone fear immediate physical harm, even without actual contact.
"Raising his fist at her was enough to count as assault."
verb
1
To attack someone violently, physically or verbally.
"He was arrested after he assaulted a security guard."
"The columnist assaulted the mayor's record in print."
How to Use Assault
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden attack — hitting someone, or in law, even just threatening to.
Common mistake
In criminal law, "assault" (the threat or attempt) is technically distinct from "battery" (actual physical contact), though everyday speech often blurs the two.
Common pairings
physical assault
assault charges
sexual assault
assault someone
Word Forms
assaulted past tense, assaults plural, assaults singular
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The soldiers launched an _____ at dawn.
Etymology
From Old French assaut, going back to Latin ad- ("towards") plus salire ("to jump") — the same root that gives us "assail".