assault Definition
- 1a violent physical or verbal attack
- 2an unlawful threat or attempt to do bodily harm to another
Using assault: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "assault" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The victim suffered serious injuries in the assault.
Example
He was charged with assault and battery.
Example
The protesters were met with police assault.
Example
She felt assaulted by his harsh words.
assault Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with assault
any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to, including rape, unwanted touching, and forced kissing
Example
She reported the sexual assault to the authorities.
Example
He was arrested for assault and battery after attacking the security guard.
the crime of threatening and physically harming someone with a weapon that could cause death or serious injury
Example
He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after attacking the victim with a knife.
Origins of assault
from Old French 'assaut', from Latin 'assultus', meaning 'a leap upon'
Summary: assault in Brief
The term 'assault' [əˈsɔːlt] refers to a violent physical or verbal attack, or an unlawful threat or attempt to do bodily harm to another. It can include sexual assault, assault and battery, and assault with a deadly weapon. Synonyms include 'attack,' 'battery,' and 'offense.' Formal equivalents are 'attack' and 'offense,' while informal ones are 'beatdown' and 'smackdown.'
