assail meaning and definition

ASSAIL verb

Definition of assail (verb)

1. attack someone physically or emotionally
   • "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
   • synonyms: assault, attack, set on
2. launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
   • "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
   • synonyms: attack
   • antonym: defend
3. attack in speech or writing
   • "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
   • synonyms: assault, attack, lash out, round, snipe