Synonyms of assault

assault 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈsȯlt 

1

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence

was arrested for his assault of the bystander

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• raid
• offensive
• onslaught
• offense
• aggression
• strike
• attempt
• bombardment
• blitzkrieg
• onset
• rush
• invasion
• blitz
• counterattack
• incursion
• charge
• barrage
• bombing
• ambush
• descent
• coup de main
• siege
• counteroffensive
• ambuscade
• breakthrough
• foray
• envelopment
• sortie
• pillage
• volley
• air raid
• sack
• counterassault
• counterstrike
• fusillade
• sally
• cannonade
• counteraggression
• storm
• salvo
• hail
• flanking
• ravage
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• resistance
• opposition
• guard
• protection
• shield
• security
• defensive
• shelter

2

as in violation

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

attended a class teaching women self-defense against assault

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violation
• rape
• sexual assault
• ravishment

assault

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to attack

to take sudden, violent action against

was found guilty of assaulting an officer

enemy forces assaulted the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• raid
• storm
• strike
• ambush
• charge
• rob
• set at
• turn (on)
• set on
• descend (on or upon)
• assail
• invade
• set upon
• swarm
• rush
• beset
• fly at
• jump (on)
• pounce (on or upon)
• go in (on)
• tear into
• sic
• bushwhack
• round on
• pitch into
• trash
• mob
• beat up on
• go at
• surprise
• barrage
• sack
• light into
• flank
• bomb
• besiege
• blitz
• plunder
• waylay
• gang up (on)
• ravage
• nuke
• bombard
• cannon
• bum-rush
• loot
• pillage
• batter
• ambuscade
• buffet
• foray
• cannonade
• mug
• overrun
• plaster
• harry
• bang away (at)
• envelop
• press
• beleaguer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• defend
• secure
• cover
• guard
• shield

2

as in to violate

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 & Similar Words

• violate
• rape
• force
• ravish

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assault contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assault are assail, attack, bombard, and storm. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When could assail be used to replace assault?

While the synonyms assail and assault are close in meaning, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

When is it sensible to use attack instead of assault?

Although the words attack and assault have much in common, attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When would bombard be a good substitute for assault?

The words bombard and assault are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

When is storm a more appropriate choice than assault?

The words storm and assault can be used in similar contexts, but storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of assault

Noun

This latest assault is driven by a rare combination of the Super El Nino, extreme high tides and south swells generated by the remnants of Hurricane Marie. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The assertion that an assault is excusable—or simply did not happen—because a perpetrator failed to recognize his victim strips women of their fundamental humanity. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Critics have noted the clear echoes in how the Nazis assaulted modern art. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

And sometimes, even on the way to a camp, a woman would be assaulted, even though she was supposed to be protected by the government. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing assault

• sexual assault