to attack vigorously or violently; assault.

to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.

to assail one's opponent with slander.

to undertake with the purpose of mastering

He assailed his studies with new determination.

to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset

His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments. The light assailed their eyes.

verb

abuse , assault , bash , berate , beset , blast , blister , bust , charge , come at , criticize , encounter , have at * , impugn , invade , lambaste , lay into * , malign , maltreat , molest , revile , set upon , trash * , vilify , work overnotes:to assail a task is to approach it with the intent of mastering it , from latin salire \'to leap\'; assault is also based on this word and assail and assault can be synonyms , baste , batter , belabor , buffet , drub , hammer , pound , pummel , smash , thrash , thresh , rail against , vituperate , aggress , fall on , go at , have at , sail into , storm , strike , accuse , asperse , attack , beat , bombard , castigate , censure , confront , defame , harass , libel , offend , oppugn , pelt , scathe , set at , stone , whack