1. violent physical attacks on someone
2. threats or attempts to hurt someone physically
Usage: legal
3. strong criticisms or verbal attacks

1. attacks someone violently
2. criticizes or attacks something strongly

Examples

• The police reported three assaults in the downtown area last night.
• She was charged with two counts of assault and battery.
• The newspaper’s assaults on the mayor’s policies continued for weeks.
• The boxer assaults his opponent with a series of quick jabs.
• The critic assaults the film’s poor dialogue and weak plot.
• Security cameras captured the man who assaults pedestrians near the park.
• The defendant assaults the witness’s credibility during cross-examination.