assault meaning and definition

ASSAULT noun

Definition of assault (noun)

1. close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
2. a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
3. thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946
4. the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
   • synonyms: rape, ravishment, violation

ASSAULT verb

Definition of assault (verb)

1. attack someone physically or emotionally
   • "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
   • synonyms: assail, attack, set on
2. force (someone) to have sex against their will
   • "The woman was raped on her way home at night"
   • synonyms: dishonor, dishonour, outrage, rape, ravish, violate
3. attack in speech or writing
   • "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
   • synonyms: assail, attack, lash out, round, snipe