assault

1 the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse the body of the murdered woman also showed signs of assault Synonyms rape, ravishment, sexual assault, violationRelated Words 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 aggression, attack, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strikeRelated Words 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; whammyNear Antonyms defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter

1 to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent she could not give a full description of the person who had assaulted her Synonyms rape, force, outrage, ravish, violateRelated Words date rape; gang rape; molest; paw; defile, deflower

2 to take sudden, violent action against roving bands of hoodlums randomly assaulted people on the street Synonyms 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)Related Words 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, flankNear Antonyms cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield