Library / English Dictionary

ASSAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Attack in speech or writing

Example:

The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker

Synonyms:

assail; assault; attack; lash out; round; snipe

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "assail" is one way to...):

criticise; criticize; knock; pick apart (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "assail"):

abuse; blackguard; clapperclaw; shout (use foul or abusive language towards)

claw (attack as if with claws)

vitriol (subject to bitter verbal abuse)

rip (criticize or abuse strongly and violently)

whang (attack forcefully)

barrage; bombard (address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage)

blister; scald; whip (subject to harsh criticism)

rubbish (attack strongly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

assailant (someone who attacks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

Example:

Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week

Synonyms:

assail; attack

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "assail" is one way to...):

contend; fight; struggle (be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight)

Verb group:

aggress; attack (take the initiative and go on the offensive)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "assail"):

bust; raid (search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on)

torpedo (attack or hit with torpedoes)

cannonade (attack with cannons or artillery)

strafe (attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane)

bomb; bombard (throw bombs at or attack with bombs)

beleaguer; besiege; circumvent; hem in; surround (surround so as to force to give up)

invade; occupy (march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation)

blitz (attack suddenly and without warning)

storm; surprise (attack by storm; attack suddenly)

gas (attack with gas; subject to gas fumes)

counterattack; counterstrike (make a counterattack)

hit; strike (make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target)

pelt; pepper (attack and bombard with or as if with missiles)

submarine (attack by submarine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

assailable (not defended or capable of being defended)

assailant (someone who attacks)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Attack someone physically or emotionally

Example:

Nightmares assailed him regularly

Synonyms:

assail; assault; attack; set on

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "assail"):

molest (harass or assault sexually; make indecent advances to)

desecrate; outrage; profane; violate (violate the sacred character of a place or language)

assault; dishonor; dishonour; outrage; rape; ravish; violate (force (someone) to have sex against their will)

beset; set upon (assail or attack on all sides:)

jump (make a sudden physical attack on)

reassail (assail again)

savage (attack brutally and fiercely)

blindside (attack or hit on or from the side where the attacked person's view is obstructed)

rush (attack suddenly)

bulldog (attack viciously and ferociously)

set; sic (urge to attack someone)

bait (attack with dogs or set dogs upon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

assailant (someone who attacks)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The thoughts of his mind, besides, were of the gloomiest dye; and when he glanced at the companion of his drive, he was conscious of some touch of that terror of the law and the law’s officers, which may at times assail the most honest.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Fanny coloured, and doubted at first what to say; when, hoping to assail her on her vulnerable side, she presently answered—My dear aunt, you cannot wish me to do differently from what I have done, I am sure.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

How the trampers might have behaved, had the young ladies been more courageous, must be doubtful; but such an invitation for attack could not be resisted; and Harriet was soon assailed by half a dozen children, headed by a stout woman and a great boy, all clamorous, and impertinent in look, though not absolutely in word.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Ikeega tore her hair and put soot of the seal-oil on her face in token of her grief; and the women assailed the men with bitter words in that they had mistreated the boy and sent him to his death; and the men made no answer, preparing to go in search of the body when the storm abated.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Time and again he nerved himself up to call, but under the doubts that assailed him his determination died away.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

And again the doubt assailed me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The ever recurrent fever of expectancy assailed Martin as he took the bundle of long envelopes.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

A great temptation assailed her.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)