What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
assailment
Example
The assailment on the victim was brutal and unprovoked. [assailment: noun]
Example
She felt overwhelmed by the assailment of insults and criticism. [assailment: noun]
assault
Example
He was charged with assault for punching someone in the face. [assault: noun]
Example
She assaulted him by hitting him with a baseball bat. [assaulted: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Assault is a more commonly used word than assailment in everyday language, especially when referring to physical attacks or legal matters.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between assailment and assault?
While assailment is less formal and more commonly used in informal contexts, assault is a more formal term that is commonly used in legal and official contexts.