assault
Other forms: assaulted; assaults; assaulting
An assault is an attack. Getting punched, yelled at, or bombed are all types of assault.
To assault is to attack or bombard someone in some way. Fighter planes can make an aerial assault, while ground troops make a ground assault. Verbal assault consists of insults, swearing, or threats. A strong criticism, like a negative review in the newspaper, is a written assault. Physical assault can range from getting pushed to getting shot. You could even say "That music is so loud it's assaulting my ear drums!"
Definitions of assault
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attack someone physically or emotionally“The mugger assaulted the woman”
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types:
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bait
attack with dogs or set dogs upon
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set, sic
urge to attack someone
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bulldog
attack viciously and ferociously
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rush
attack suddenly
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blindside
attack or hit on or from the side where the attacked person's view is obstructed
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savage
attack brutally and fiercely
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reassail
assail again
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jump
make a sudden physical attack on
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beset, set upon
assail or attack on all sides: "The zebra was beset by leopards"
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desecrate, outrage, profane, violate
violate the sacred character of a place or language
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molest
harass or assault sexually; make indecent advances to
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bear down, charge
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
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gang-rape
rape (someone) successively with several attackers
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attack in speech or writing
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abuse, blackguard, clapperclaw, shout
use foul or abusive language towards
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claw
attack as if with claws
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vitriol
subject to bitter verbal abuse
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rip
criticize or abuse strongly and violently
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whang
attack forcefully
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barrage, bombard
address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage
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blister, scald, whip
subject to harsh criticism
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rubbish
attack strongly
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slang
abuse with coarse language
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rail, revile, vilify, vituperate
spread negative information about
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curse
heap obscenities upon
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type of:
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criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart
find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
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force (someone) to have sex against their will
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a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
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aggravated assault
a reckless attack with intent to injure seriously (as with a deadly weapon)
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assault and battery, battery
an assault in which the assailant makes physical contact
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mugging
assault with intent to rob
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resisting arrest
physical efforts to oppose a lawful arrest; the resistance is classified as assault and battery upon the person of the police officer attempting to make the arrest
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close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
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types:
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resisting arrest
physical efforts to oppose a lawful arrest; the resistance is classified as assault and battery upon the person of the police officer attempting to make the arrest
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storm
a direct and violent assault on a stronghold
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type of:
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battle, conflict, engagement, fight
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
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resisting arrest
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the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
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types:
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date rape
rape in which the rapist is known to the victim (as when they are on a date together)
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carnal abuse, statutory rape
sexual intercourse with a person (girl or boy) who has not reached the age of consent (even if both parties participate willingly)
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type of:
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sex crime, sex offense, sexual abuse, sexual assault
a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat
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date rape
Pronunciation
US
/əˈsɔlt/
UK
/əˈsɔlt/
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Monster
Told in the form of journal entries and a screenplay, this novel tells the story of a teenager on trial for murder.
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