English dictionary



Info: This web site is based on WordNet 3.0 from Princeton University.

English noun: assault

1. assault (act) close fighting during the culmination of a military attack


Broader (hypernym)battle, conflict, engagement, fight


Narrower (hyponym)resisting arrest, storm


Part meronymattack, onrush, onset, onslaught


Domain categoryarmed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine

2. assault (act) a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped


Broader (hypernym)attack, attempt


Narrower (hyponym)aggravated assault, assault and battery, battery, mugging

3. Assault (animal) thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1946


Instance hypernymthoroughbred

4. assault (act) the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will


Synonymsrape, ravishment, violation


Broader (hypernym)sex crime, sex offense, sexual abuse, sexual assault


Narrower (hyponym)carnal abuse, date rape, statutory rape


English verb: assault

1. assault (competition) attack someone physically or emotionally


SamplesThe mugger assaulted the woman.
Nightmares assailed him regularly.


Synonymsassail, attack, set on


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Narrower (hyponym)assault, bait, beset, blindside, bulldog, desecrate, dishonor, dishonour, jump, molest, outrage, outrage, profane, rape, ravish, reassail, rush, savage, set, set upon, sic, violate, violate

2. assault (social) force (someone) to have sex against their will


SamplesThe woman was raped on her way home at night.


Synonymsdishonor, dishonour, outrage, rape, ravish, violate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)assail, assault, attack, set on


Narrower (hyponym)gang-rape

3. assault (communication) attack in speech or writing


SamplesThe editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker.


Synonymsassail, attack, lash out, round, snipe


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart


Narrower (hyponym)abuse, barrage, blackguard, blister, bombard, clapperclaw, claw, rip, rubbish, scald, shout, vitriol, whang, whip









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