assail[verb]Synonyms: attack, assault, fall upon, lay into
(informal), set upon
Related Idioms: round on
Related Words: beat,
belabor,
buffet,
pound,
pummel [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
as‧sail /əˈseɪl/
verb [transitive] formal[
Date: 1200-1300;
Language: Old French;
Origin: asaillir, from Latin assilire, from ad- 'to' + salire 'to jump']
1. [usually passive] if you are assailed by unpleasant thoughts or feelings, they worry or upset you:
Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.2. if a strong smell or loud sound assails you, you suddenly experience it:
The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.3. to attack someone or something violently
4. to criticize someone or something severely
assail somebody for something He was assailed for gross misconduct. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲