assault
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for assault, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden violent attack, whether physical or verbal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use assault
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French assaut, going back to Latin ad- ("towards") plus salire ("to jump") — the same root that gives us "assail".
Full origin of assault →Frequently asked questions
What does “assault” mean?
The word “assault” means a sudden violent attack, whether physical or verbal. In plain terms, a sudden attack — hitting someone, or in law, even just threatening to.
How do you pronounce “assault”?
“Assault” is pronounced uh-SOLT (/əˈsɔlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “assault” in a sentence?
Here is “assault” used in a sentence: “The soldiers launched an assault at dawn.”
What is another word for “assault”?
Words with a similar meaning to “assault” include onfall, onrush, aggression, assailment, attack and attempt.
What is the opposite of “assault”?
The opposite of “assault” — its antonyms — are defense and defence.
What part of speech is “assault”?
Depending on how it is used, “assault” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “assault” come from?
The word “assault” comes from Latin. From Old French assaut, going back to Latin ad- ("towards") plus salire ("to jump") — the same root that gives us "assail".
Is “assault” a common word?
“Assault” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between assault and battery?
In law, assault is the threat or attempt to harm someone that makes them fear imminent violence, while battery is the actual unwanted physical contact. You can commit assault without touching anyone — a raised fist or a spoken threat can be enough. Battery requires that contact is actually made.
Is assault always physical?
No. Although assault often involves physical violence, the word also covers verbal attacks — threats, intimidation, or aggressive abuse meant to frighten or harm. A sudden barrage of shouted threats can be called a verbal assault even when no blow is struck, since the essence of the word is a sudden, violent onslaught.