assault
uh-SOLT
Assault (noun) means a sudden violent attack, whether physical or verbal. Example: “The soldiers launched an assault at dawn.”
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."
"The sudden assault of questions left the speaker speechless."
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."
"Even without touching her, shouting and lunging at her could be called assault."
"The lawyer explained that assault can occur when someone fears being hit."
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."
"The critic assaulted the film with a savage review."
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
physical assault
assault charges
sexual assault
assault someone
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Word forms
- Plural
- assaults
- Third person singular
- assaults
- Past tense
- assaulted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for assault
See all rhymes for 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.
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