1. (

• assail ,
• assault ,
• set_on ,
• attack ,

) attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly" ;

2. (

• rape ,
• ravish ,
• violate ,
• assault ,
• dishonor ,
• dishonour ,
• outrage

) force (someone) to have sex against their will; "The woman was raped on her way home at night" ;

3. (

• attack ,
• round ,
• assail ,
• lash_out ,
• snipe ,
• assault

) attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker" ;