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Meaning & use

military assault

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌmɪl.ɪ.tər.i əˈsɒlt/
US/ˌmɪl.ə.ter.i əˈsɑːlt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountablemilitary

    A violent armed attack by soldiers on a place or position.

    Grammar: Countable for one attack (an assault on the town); uncountable when talking about the action in general.

    Patterns

    • a military assault on something
    • launch a military assault
    • carry out a military assault

    The report described a military assault on the border village at dawn.

    Troops launched a military assault on the hilltop position.

    The documentary showed survivors of a military assault on the city.

  2. nouncountable or uncountablelegallaw

    The crime of attacking someone physically, especially in a way that causes serious harm.

    Grammar: Often used in legal contexts: charged with assault, an assault on a police officer.

    Patterns

    • be charged with assault
    • an assault on someone
    • commit an assault

    He was charged with assault after the fight outside the stadium.

    The law treats assault on emergency workers as a serious offense.

Word forms

pluralmilitary assaults

Common combinations

launch an assault
The army launched an assault before sunrise.
a brutal assault
Witnesses described a brutal assault on civilians.
assault on a position
The assault on the enemy position lasted three hours.
be charged with assault
She was charged with assault after the argument.
an assault rifle
Police found an assault rifle in the vehicle.

Synonyms and how they differ

attack
The general everyday word; 'assault' is more formal and often suggests direct physical violence or a legal charge.
raid
A short surprise attack on a place, usually by a small group; an assault can be longer and more organized.
offensive
A large planned military operation; an assault is one specific attack within it.

Opposites

defenseretreat

Word family

assault verb
To attack someone physically or violently.
assailant noun
A person who attacks someone.
military adjective
Relating to soldiers or armed forces.

Commonly confused: military assault or assault? military assault or military?

military assault vs assault

As a legal term 'assault' can mean threatening someone, while 'battery' means actually touching or hitting them; in everyday use 'assault' usually covers both.

military assault vs military

'Military' describes armed forces in general; 'military assault' is only one specific kind of action.

Practice

The soldiers ______ a military assault on the port at night.

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