English dictionary



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English verb: assail

1. assail (competition) attack someone physically or emotionally


SamplesThe mugger assaulted the woman.
Nightmares assailed him regularly.


Synonymsassault, 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. assail (competition) launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with


SamplesHitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II.
Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week.


Synonymsattack


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


Broader (hypernym)contend, fight, struggle


Narrower (hyponym)beleaguer, besiege, blitz, bomb, bombard, bust, cannonade, circumvent, counterattack, counterstrike, gas, hem in, hit, invade, occupy, pelt, pepper, raid, storm, strafe, strike, submarine, surprise, surround, torpedo


Verb groupaggress, attack


Antonymsdefend

3. assail (communication) attack in speech or writing


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


Synonymsassault, 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









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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