ASSAIL

[verb] [T] [formal] - to attack (someone) violently or criticize (someone) stronglyThe victim had been assailed with repeated blows to the head and body.Although he had been cleared of the murder, he was assailed with insults and abuse as he left the court.(formal) To assail also means to cause someone to experience a lot of things that are difficult to deal with.to be assailed by doubts/fears/problems/letters/reportsAfter her disappointing exam results, Chris was assailed by worries about her career. [T]The MP was assailed with awkward questions by the interviewer.