assail
To attack with harsh words or violent forceTo attack with harsh words or violent force.
» Some retarded teenager is assailing the statistics again.
Meaning
2 senses(figuratively, sometimes, transitive)To attack with harsh words or violent force.
Muggers assailed them as they entered an alley.
Our ears were assailed by her joyous efforts on her new saxophone.
angreifen
напада́тьnapadátʹ, напа́стьnapástʹ
(figuratively, transitive)To overcome or successfully argue against; defeat.
- attack someone physically or emotionally
- launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
- attack in speech or writing
Examples
2 sentencesSome retarded teenager is assailing the statistics again.
As I make my coffee, anxiety assails me, because I think about tomorrow.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English assailen, from Old French assaillir, assalir, from Late Latin assalīreFrom Middle English assailen, from Old French assaillir, assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assault.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
assails, assailing, assailed, assailedSynonyms
7 synonymsWord family
9 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle