assail

[uh-seyl]

verb (used with object)

1. to attack vigorously or violently; assault.

2. to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc..

   to assail one's opponent with slander.

   Synonyms: malign, asperse

3. to undertake with the purpose of mastering.

   He assailed his studies with new determination.

4. to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset.

   His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments.

   The light assailed their eyes.

assail

/ əˈseɪl /

verb

1. to attack violently; assault

2. to criticize or ridicule vehemently, as in argument

3. to beset or disturb

   his mind was assailed by doubts

4. to encounter with the intention of mastering

   to assail a problem

   to assail a difficult mountain ridge

Other Word Forms

• assailable adjective
• assailer noun
• assailment noun
• assailableness noun
• unassailed adjective
• unassailing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assail¹

1175–1225; Middle English asaylen < Old French asalir < Late Latin assalīre, equivalent to Latin as- as- + salīre to leap, spring

Word History and Origins

Origin of assail¹

C13: from Old French asalir, from Vulgar Latin assalīre (unattested) to leap upon, from Latin assilīre, from salīre to leap

Synonym Study

See attack.

Example Sentences

Whenever ministers defend the status quo in the House of Commons, they are assailed on all sides by MPs calling for recognition.

From BBC

The sculpture has long sparked polemics: While adherents of the left generally applauded it, and some visitors would leave flowers, critics assailed the artwork as a tasteless shrine to a bloody communist dictatorship.

From Los Angeles Times

On social media, where commentators both applauded and assailed the protests, the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

The mayor, appearing before reporters at City Hall, assailed federal agents for “randomly grabbing people” off the street, “chasing Angelenos through parking lots” and arresting immigrants who showed up at court for annual check-ins.

From Los Angeles Times

While Sheinbaum has assailed the U.S. immigration raids and backed immigrants’ rights to protest, there is no public record of her ever having backed violence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bash 
• berate 
• blast 
• criticize 
• impugn 
• lambaste 
• revile 
• trash 
• vilify