Synonyms for assault

Synonyms for (noun) assault

Synonyms: assault

Definition: a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped

Similar words: attack, attempt

Definition: the act of attacking

Usage: attacks on women increased last year; they made an attempt on his life


Synonyms: rape, ravishment, assault, violation

Definition: the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will

Similar words: sex crime, sex offense, sexual abuse, sexual assault

Definition: a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat

Usage: most states have replaced the common law definition of rape with statutes defining sexual assault


Synonyms: assault

Definition: close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

Similar words: conflict, battle, engagement, fight

Definition: a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

Usage: Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga; he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement


Synonyms: Assault

Definition: thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946

Similar words: thoroughbred

Definition: a racehorse belonging to a breed that originated from a cross between Arabian stallions and English mares


Synonyms for (verb) assault

Synonyms: snipe, round, assail, assault, attack, lash out

Definition: attack in speech or writing

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

Similar words: criticise, criticize, pick apart, knock

Definition: find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws

Usage: The paper criticized the new movie; Don't knock the food--it's free


Synonyms: violate, rape, ravish, assault, dishonor, dishonour, outrage

Definition: force (someone) to have sex against their will

Usage: The woman was raped on her way home at night

Similar words: set on, assail, assault, attack

Definition: attack someone physically or emotionally

Usage: The mugger assaulted the woman; Nightmares assailed him regularly


Visual thesaurus for assault