'assail' definitions:
Definition of 'assail'
(from WordNet)
verb
Attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly" [syn: assail, assault, set on, attack]
verb
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" [syn: attack, assail] [ant: defend]
verb
Synonyms of 'assail'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- ambush,
- assault,
- attack,
- blister,
- blitz,
- bushwhack,
- castigate,
- censure,
- come at,
- come down on,
- crack down on,
- criminate,
- cry out against,
- cry out on,
- cry shame upon,
- descend on,
- descend upon,
- excoriate,
- fall on,
- fall upon,
- flay,
- fustigate,
- gang up on,
- go at,
- go for,
- harry,
- have at,
- hit,
- hit like lightning,
- implicate,
- impugn,
- incriminate,
- inculpate,
- involve,
- jump,
- land on,
- lash,
- lay at,
- lay hands on,
- lay into,
- light into,
- mug,
- pitch into,
- pounce upon,
- pound,
- roast,
- sail into,
- scarify,
- scathe,
- scorch,
- set on,
- set upon,
- skin alive,
- slash,
- strike,
- surprise,
- swoop down on,
- take the offensive,
- trounce,
- wade into