Word
assault
Phoneticsas·sault, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈsɔɫt/
UK/ɐsˈɒlt/
Definitions
01physical attack
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a violent physical attack on a person.
n. a physical attack or onset of violence against a person.
“The man was arrested following a violent assault in the city centre.”
“The victim suffered minor injuries during the unprovoked assault, which occurred in broad daylight near the train station.”
Antonyms
02legal threat of harm
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. the crime of making someone feel they are about to be physically hurt.
n. an act that causes a person to apprehend imminent bodily harm; often distinguished from 'battery', which requires physical contact.
“He was charged with assault after pointing a loaded gun at the guard.”
“In many jurisdictions, the mere gesture of raising a fist can constitute assault if the victim reasonably fears immediate violence.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'assault and battery'.
Teaching tip
In everyday English, people use 'assault' to mean hitting someone. In law, 'assault' is the threat, and 'battery' is the actual hitting.
Synonyms
03verbal or mental attack
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a strong verbal attack using insults or very harsh criticism.
n. a metaphorical or figurative attack, typically involving severe criticism or an overwhelming sensory experience.
“The loud music was a constant assault on our ears.”
“The politician faced a fierce verbal assault from the press regarding the recent budget cuts.”
Antonyms
04to attack
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to attack someone violently.
v. to make a physical or figurative attack upon someone or something.
“The soldiers were ordered to assault the enemy base at dawn.”
“The protesters attempted to assault the gates of the embassy before being pushed back by security forces.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “assault” in context.
Verb
01. carry out an assault
“The special forces were trained to carry out a precision assault under the cover of darkness.”
verb + noun
02. commit an assault
“He was charged with a felony after he was caught trying to commit an assault on a police officer.”
verb + noun
03. launch an assault
“The opposition party decided to launch a blistering verbal assault on the government's new tax policy.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. brutal assault
“The community was shocked by the brutal assault that took place in the park yesterday.”
adj + noun
05. indiscriminate assault
“The city faced an indiscriminate assault from heavy artillery throughout the night.”
adj + noun
06. unprovoked assault
“The victim claimed it was an entirely unprovoked assault by a complete stranger.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. assault charge
“The athlete is currently facing a serious assault charge following the altercation at the nightclub.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. under assault
“The fundamental principles of democracy are currently under assault in many parts of the world.”
prep + noun
09. assault suspect
10. assault charges
11. assault with a weapon
12. assaulting the woman
Real-World Examples
“That 2019 book also revealed, in a chapter entitled It’s Never the Priest You Want to Kiss, that he had been sexually assaulted as a teenager by a Catholic priest.” “Lewis said she was sexually assaulted by a WestJet pilot while on a layover in Hawaii in 2010 when she was 25 years old.” Etymology
From Middle English assaut, from Old French noun assaut, derived from the past participle of the verb assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assail. Spelling Latinized around 1530 to add an l.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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