1. to attack someone or something violently or forcefully
2. to criticize someone or something harshly and persistently
3. to trouble or disturb someone persistently

Examples

• The enemy army assails the fortress at dawn.
• Doubt assails her mind before every performance.
• The critic assails the director’s latest film in his review.
• A terrible smell assails visitors to the old building.
• The politician assails his opponent’s voting record.
• Memories of the accident still assail him at night.
• The storm assails the coastline with powerful winds.