Word

assail, v.
(assailed, assailing, assails)
freq. cnt. 6

attack someone physically or emotionally
<verb.competition> freq. cnt.: 17 freq. cnt.: 7 freq. cnt.: 6 freq. cnt.: 4

assail assault attack set on

sample sentences

"The mugger assaulted the woman"
"Nightmares assailed him regularly"

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

assaultive assault assault assaulter

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

assailant

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

attack attacker

semantic pointers

hyponym

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

attack in speech or writing
<verb.communication> freq. cnt.: 9 freq. cnt.: 9

assail assault attack lash out round snipe

sample sentences

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

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

attack attacker

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

assailant

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

assaultive assaulter

semantic pointers

hypernym

criticize, criticise, knock, pick apart

hyponym

abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout claw vitriol rip whang bombard, barrage blister, scald, whip rubbish

launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
<verb.competition> freq. cnt.: 22 freq. cnt.: 22

assail attack

sample sentences

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

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

attack attacker

antonym

defend

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

assailable assailant

semantic pointers

hypernym

fight, struggle, contend

verb group

attack, aggress

hyponym

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