n. 1 attack, onslaught, onset, charge, offensive, blitzkrieg, blitz, strike, raid, incursion, sortie; aggression, invasion At dawn we launched the assault on the fort 2 beating, battering, hold-up, mugging; rape, violation, molestation; Law battery The defendant is accused of assault
v. 3 attack, assail, set or fall upon, pounce upon, storm, beset, charge, rush, lay into The elderly couple were assaulted near their home 4 rape, violate, molest Three women were assaulted in that neighbourhood last night 5 beat (up), batter, bruise, harm, hit, strike, punch, smite She complained that her husband continually assaulted the children