assail

[US]/əˈseɪl/
[UK]/əˈseɪl/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. launch a violent attack on; criticize strongly; make a concerted effort to deal with.

Phrases & Collocations

assail with criticism

assail with questions

Example Sentences

was assailed by doubts.

be assailed with doubts

The police were assailed with rocks.

she was assailed by doubts and regrets.

a novel assailed by critics;

a member of the jury assailed by doubts.

a new wave of apprehension assailed her.

The enemy plane assailed our defence position.

His mind was assailed by doubts.

the Scots army assailed Edward's army from the rear.

an area assailed by enemy forces from both directions;

Like Miniver Cheevy, Chiang sighed for what was not and "grew lean while he assailed the seasons.

None the less did the old legitimist parties assail the Revolution of 1830 with all the vehemence which arises from false reasoning.

In the western world the plebeian or popular element in each state successfully assailed the oligarchical monopoly;and a code was nearly universally obtained early in the history of the Commonwealth.

As soon as the young man returned home, his parents assailed him with questions about the interview.

Real-world Examples

Remember, it is much easier to reprove the sin of others than to overcome temptation when it assails ourselves.

Source: Original Chinese Language Class in American Elementary Schools

The stench that assailed him turned him horribly sick.

Source: The Moon and Sixpence (Condensed Version)

He was assailed with questions after the lecture.

Source: New Concept English: Vocabulary On-the-Go, Book Three.

Yet a new danger now assailed him, from the increasing cold.

Source: American Original Language Arts Volume 4

The visiting president was assailed with stones and eggs.

Source: New Concept English: Vocabulary On-the-Go, Book Three.

She had risen; and now at last a fear assailed him. " What is it" ? he cried, shrinking.

Source: Peter Pan

But the move has been assailed by health officials and critics of his administration.

Source: CRI Online August 2020 Collection

His patrols halted the raiding parties: hunger assailed the Danish army.

Source: New Concept English. British Edition. Book Four (Translation)

They sounded bitter as the assailed what they called the Reagan Administration's refusal to act to secure their release.

Source: Listen to this 3 Advanced English Listening

I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Source: 19 Psalms Musical Bible Theater Version - NIV

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