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Vinony

assail

verb

  1. to subject to harsh, forceful treatment or attack viciously
L330820 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /əˈseɪl/

verb

Etymology: From Middle English assailen, from Old French assaillir, assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”). See also assault.

  1. To attack with harsh words or violent force.

    “Muggers assailed them as they entered an alley.”

    “Our ears were assailed by her joyous efforts on her new saxophone.”

  2. To overcome or successfully argue against; defeat.

    “"Yes," he said, half musing to himself, "I knew it must exist: the one explanation that accounts for everything and cannot be assailed. We have reached the bed-rock of truth at last."”

    “We got married immediately after I finished my work […] which should have been the happiest day of my life. […] But, it was not my happiest day. I was assailed by doubts.”