What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
assails
Example
The politician assails his opponents with harsh words during the debate. [assails: verb]
Example
The army assails the enemy's stronghold with full force. [assails: present tense]
assault
Example
The victim was assaulted by a stranger in a dark alley. [assaulted: past tense]
Example
The protesters attempted to assault the police barricade. [assault: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Assault is more commonly used than assails in everyday language. Assault is a widely recognized term that specifically denotes physical attacks or violent acts, while assails is less common and has a broader scope that includes verbal attacks as well.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between assails and assault?
While assails is typically associated with a more formal tone, assault is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts due to its specific and widely understood meaning.
