What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
assault
Example
He was charged with assault after hitting someone in a bar fight. [assault: noun]
Example
The victim felt assaulted when the stranger approached her aggressively. [assaulted: past tense verb]
battery
Example
The suspect was arrested for battery after punching the victim. [battery: noun]
Example
She was found guilty of battery for slapping her coworker during an argument. [battery: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Assault and battery are legal terms commonly used in the context of criminal law. However, assault is more commonly used in everyday language to describe acts of violence or threats, while battery is more specific to the physical act of harmful touching.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between assault and battery?
Both assault and battery are formal terms used in legal contexts. They are not typically used in casual or informal conversations.
