1as·sault 
/əˈsɑ:lt/ noun
plural as·saults /əˈsɑ:lt/ noun 1 a [noncount] law : the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically
▪ He was accused of assault. = He was charged with assault. = Assault charges were brought against him. ▪ She was wanted (by the police) for assault with a deadly weapon. ▪ He was found guilty of sexual assault. [=the crime of touching someone in an unwanted sexual way] — see also indecent assault
b [count] : a violent physical attack
▪ She was injured in a brutal assault. 2 [count] : a military attack
▪ They launched several air assaults [=attacks using airplanes] against the enemy. ▪ They got ready for an enemy assault. [=an attack by the enemy] — often + on ▪ The enemy has launched an assault on the city. — often used figuratively ▪ They saw the change as an assault on the values of their society. ▪ They launched a fierce legal assault against the company. ▪ The government is attempting an all-out/full-scale assault on the use of drugs.
▪ He was accused of assault. = He was charged with assault. = Assault charges were brought against him. ▪ She was wanted (by the police) for assault with a deadly weapon. ▪ He was found guilty of sexual assault. [=the crime of touching someone in an unwanted sexual way] — see also indecent assault
b [count] : a violent physical attack
▪ She was injured in a brutal assault.
▪ They launched several air assaults [=attacks using airplanes] against the enemy. ▪ They got ready for an enemy assault. [=an attack by the enemy] — often + on ▪ The enemy has launched an assault on the city. — often used figuratively ▪ They saw the change as an assault on the values of their society. ▪ They launched a fierce legal assault against the company. ▪ The government is attempting an all-out/full-scale assault on the use of drugs.
under assault
: being attacked or criticized
▪ The city is under assault from enemy troops. ▪ He came under assault for his unusual beliefs. [=he was severely criticized for his unusual beliefs] ▪ Their personal freedoms are (coming) under assault by the government.
▪ The city is under assault from enemy troops. ▪ He came under assault for his unusual beliefs. [=he was severely criticized for his unusual beliefs] ▪ Their personal freedoms are (coming) under assault by the government.
