assail

Verb

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

• launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
  • Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II
    
  • Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week
    

• attack someone physically or emotionally
  • The mugger assaulted the woman
    
  • Nightmares assailed him regularly
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  attack , round , lash out , snipe , assault , set on