v. t. | 1. | To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile manner; to assault; to molest; |
2. | To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering, as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like. | |
3. | To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages, institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.; |
Verb | 1. | assail - attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly" |
2. | assail - launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with; "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week" Synonyms: attack | |
3. | assail - attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker" |