assaltar, atacar, investir contra
1. to attack or assault someone violently
The protesters were assailed by police officers.
Os manifestantes foram assaltados pela polícia.
2. to criticize or attack verbally with harsh words
The journalist assailed the government's policies in her article.
A jornalista atacou as políticas do governo em seu artigo.
3. to trouble or beset persistently (usually followed by doubts, fears, etc.)
Doubts assailed him throughout the night.
Dúvidas o assaltaram durante toda a noite.
4. to overwhelm the senses (smell, sound, taste)
The strong smell of garlic assailed our noses.
O forte cheiro de alho nos assaltou.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'assaltar' is frequently used in news reports regarding violent crime, while 'atacar' is more neutral and used in broader contexts including criticism. In American English, 'assail' is considered somewhat formal or literary, more common in journalistic or academic writing than in everyday conversation.
NYC Slang
go at someone, come at someone, jump on someone
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