assailing Meaning & Definition
What Does Assailing Mean?
Assailing is used as a verb meaning to attack violently. It can also mean to encounter, undertake, or confront energetically.
Word Facts for Assailing
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ə-ˈsāl/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | abusing, attacking and bashing |
| Antonyms | acclaiming, commending and complimenting |
Assailing Definition (Verb)
- to attack violently : assault
The military has for years been developing offensive capabilities, giving it the power not just to defend the US but to assail its foes.
- to encounter, undertake, or confront energetically
When a lazy man does make up his mind to assail a piece of work, he is like a dog with a bone.
- to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefully
a proposal assailed by critics / … it is evident that Khrushchev was in trouble at home. The Chinese had also begun to assail him for being soft on the imperialists.
- to trouble or afflict in a manner that threatens to overwhelm
a man assailed by doubts/fears / … but now a terrible fear began to assail me. / Many diseases stemming from bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can assail human as well as canine systems.
- to be perceived by (a person, a person's senses, etc.) in a strongly noticeable and usually unpleasant way
Here, too, is brought … all the waste stuff of the nation—everything that is subject to rot, and that can add to the foul stench that assails our nostrils.
Synonyms of Assailing
Antonyms of Assailing
Assailing in a Sentence
Muggers assailed them as they entered an alley.
The military has for years been developing offensive capabilities, giving it the power not just to defend the US but to assail its foes.
When a lazy man does make up his mind to assail a piece of work, he is like a dog with a bone.
a proposal assailed by critics
… it is evident that Khrushchev was in trouble at home. The Chinese had also begun to assail him for being soft on the imperialists.
a man assailed by doubts/fears
… but now a terrible fear began to assail me.
Many diseases stemming from bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can assail human as well as canine systems.
Here, too, is brought … all the waste stuff of the nation—everything that is subject to rot, and that can add to the foul stench that assails our nostrils.
the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment
the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest
a proposal assailed by critics / … it is evident that Khrushchev was in trouble at home. The Chinese had also begun to assail him for being soft on the imperialists.
a man assailed by doubts/fears / … but now a terrible fear began to assail me. / Many diseases stemming from bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can assail human as well as canine systems.
Word Forms & Grammar
as·sailed
as·sail·ing
as·sails
as·sail·able adjective
assail
assailable
assailed
assailing
assails
assailant
assailants
Words That Rhyme With Assailing
Origin of Assailing
Middle English, from Anglo-French assaillir, from Vulgar Latin *assalire, alteration of Latin assilire to leap upon, from ad- + salire to leap sally
First Known Use
13th century
Assailing Pronunciation
You say assailing as /ə-ˈsāl/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (sāl).
Questions People Ask About Assailing
What part of speech is assailing?
Assailing is a verb.
What is another word for assailing?
Words with a similar meaning to assailing include abusing, attacking and bashing. See the full list of assailing synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of assailing?
The opposite of assailing can be expressed with words like acclaiming, commending, complimenting and hailing.