verb
assail
Assail (verb) means to attack someone fiercely, either physically or with strong criticism.
verb
1
To attack someone fiercely, either physically or with strong criticism.
"Our ears were assailed by her joyous efforts on her new saxophone."
"Muggers assailed them as they entered an alley."
2
To win an argument against someone or something, defeating their case.
""Yes," he said, half musing to himself, "I knew it must exist: the one explanation that accounts for everything and cannot be assailed. We have reached the bed-rock of truth at last.""
— Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados (1923)
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like assail.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English assailen, from Old French assaillir, assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad ('at, towards') and salīre ('jump'). See also assault.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for assail
See all rhymes for assail →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of assail?
"assail" (verb) means to attack someone fiercely, either physically or with strong criticism.
What is another word for assail?
Other words for "assail" include snipe, attack, assault, round.
What are the different meanings of assail?
"assail" has 2 main meanings: 1. To attack someone fiercely, either physically or with strong criticism; 2. To win an argument against someone or something, defeating their case.
