assault
assault Lexical Profile
assault Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A violent physical or verbal attack against a person, group, or institution.
"The editorial launched a scathing verbal assault on the administration's environmental policies."
In law, an intentional act or threat that causes another person to reasonably fear imminent physical harm or offensive contact.
"Under the state statute, raising a fist in a threatening manner can constitute simple assault even without physical contact."
A concerted attempt to achieve a difficult goal or overcome a formidable obstacle, such as climbing a mountain peak.
"The mountaineering team waited for clear weather before making their final assault on the summit."
• verb
To make a violent physical or verbal attack on someone or something.
"The suspect was charged after attempting to assault a security guard outside the courthouse."
To affect the senses or mind suddenly and intensely with an unpleasant or overwhelming stimulus.
"Bright neon lights and blaring traffic noise immediately assaulted our senses as we stepped out of the station."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict legal contexts, 'assault' refers to an intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact, whereas 'battery' refers to the actual physical contact itself; in everyday usage, however, 'assault' commonly encompasses physical attack.
• Rhymes for assault
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'asaut' (and re-Latinized in spelling), from Vulgar Latin '*assaltus', derived from Latin 'assilire' ('to leap upon'), from 'ad-' ('to') + 'salire' ('to leap').