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assault

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of assault

1 the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse

  • attended a class teaching women self-defense against assault
Synonyms of assault

rape, ravishment, sexual assault, violation
Words Related to assault

acquaintance rape, date rape, statutory rape

gang rape

indecent assault, molestation

defilement, deflowering

2 the act or action of setting upon with force or violence

  • was arrested for his assault of the bystander
Synonyms of assault

aggression, attack, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike
Words Related to assault

ambuscade, ambush

counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike

sally, sortie

envelopment, flanking

breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion

pillage, ravage, sack

air raid, bombardment, bombing

siege, storm

barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley

whammy
Near Antonyms of assault

defense, defensive, guard, shield

opposition, resistance

protection, security, shelter

assault

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of assault

1 to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent

  • was registered as a sex offender after assaulting the victim
Synonyms of assault

force, rape, ravish, violate
Words Related to assault

date rape

gang rape

molest

paw

defile, deflower

2 to take sudden, violent action against

  • was found guilty of assaulting an officer
  • enemy forces assaulted the city
Synonyms of assault

assail, attack, beset, bushwhack, charge, descend (on or upon), go in (on), jump (on), pounce (on or upon), raid, rush, set on, sic (also sick), storm, strike, trash, turn (on)
Words Related to assault

bum-rush, gang up (on), mob, swarm

mug, rob

ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize), waylay

blitz, bomb, bombard, nuke

barrage, cannon, cannonade

bang away (at), batter, buffet, plaster

beleaguer, besiege, press

harry, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack

foray, invade, overrun

envelop, flank
Phrases Synonymous with assault

beat up on, fly at, go at, light into, pitch into, round on, set at, set upon, tear into
Near Antonyms of assault

cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield

Synonym Discussion of assault

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.
    • plan to attack the town at dawn
assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.
    • assailed the enemy with artillery fire
assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.
    • Commandos assaulted the building from all sides.
bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.
    • bombarded the city nightly
storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.
    • preparing to storm the fortress

Learn More about assault

  1. See words that rhyme with assault Dictionary: Definition of assault Spanish Central: Translation of assault Nglish: Translation of assault for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of assault for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assault

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