assaulted
v.v. to attack someone physically or with words in a violent way. It is often used in legal or news reports to describe a serious crime.
v. to make a physical attack on someone or to threaten them with immediate harm. Often carries specific legal weight depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the contact.
The man was arrested after he assaulted a police officer.
Witnesses reported that the suspect assaulted the victim following a brief but heated argument outside the stadium.
The prosecution argued that the defendant had intentionally assaulted the guard to facilitate his escape, rather than acting in a moment of panicked self-defense as the defense claimed.
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In legal contexts, it may refer to the threat of violence even if no physical contact occurs.
he was assaulted by a knifehe was assaulted with a knifeUse 'with' for the instrument used in the attack; 'by' is reserved for the person performing the action.