assault in WordNet English dictionary

1. attack in speech or writing
   "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
   attack  round  assail  lash out  snipe  assault 
   
2. attack someone physically or emotionally
   "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"
   assail  assault  set on  attack 
   
3. force (someone) to have sex against their will
   "The woman was raped on her way home at night"
   rape  ravish  violate  assault  dishonor  dishonour  outrage 
   

1. close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
   assault 
   
2. a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
   assault 
   
3. the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
   rape  violation  assault  ravishment