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1. Attack someone physically or emotionally
   "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
   - assault, set on, attack
    
2. Launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
   "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
   - attack
    
3. Attack in speech or writing
   - attack, round, lash out, snipe, assault

Derived forms: assailed, assailing, assails

See also: assailable, assailant

Type of: contend, criticise [Brit], criticize, fight, knock, pick apart, struggle

Encyclopedia: Assail