1. past tense of assault; attacked someone physically or violently
Usage: legal context
2. past tense of assault; attacked someone verbally or with harsh criticism
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The victim was assaulted outside the store.
• Police arrested the man who assaulted the security guard.
• She felt assaulted by the constant negative comments.
• The politician was assaulted with tough questions during the interview.
• He was charged after he assaulted his neighbor during the argument.
• The critic assaulted the new movie with harsh reviews.