assailed
Went after aggressively
Assailed is the past tense of assail, meaning to attack vigorously—physically, verbally, or figuratively.
Someone can be assailed by critics, assailed by doubts, or assailed by a mob.
The word suggests being beset from multiple directions or with sustained force: She was assailed by questions from reporters.
Doubts assailed him as he approached the podium.
Attacked from concealment
- assaultedSubjected to physical harm
- batteredDamaged by repeated blows
- pouncedSuddenly jumped to attack
- struckPast tense of hitting
set upon · fell upon · rushed · charged · stormed · raided · waylaid · bushwhacked
Publicly accused or condemned
- condemnedOfficially declared unfit
- censuredFormally disapproved of
- lambastedCriticized very harshly
- beratedScolded severely at length
castigated · excoriated · vilified · attacked · blasted · savaged · pilloried · harangued
Outer casing removed
- peltedStruck repeatedly with objects
- strafedFired upon from aircraft
- blitzedExtremely intoxicated
- barragedAttacked in rapid succession
pummeled · peppered · battered · pounded · riddled · raked · showered · sprayed
Troubled on all sides
- beleagueredPersistently harassed or troubled
- swampedOverwhelmed beyond capacity
- inundatedOverwhelmed by quantity
- engulfedCompletely swallowed up
besieged · plagued · harried · hounded · dogged · tormented · buffeted · overcome
Disputed or questioned
- facedMet without flinching
- opposedAgainst something stated
- defiedOpenly resisted authority
- took onAccepted or confronted
countered · resisted · disputed · contested · accosted · braced · encountered
Encirclement forcing surrender
- encircledSurrounded on all sides
- surroundedBounded on all sides
- blockadedSealed off strategically
- hemmed inEnclosed with no escape
beleaguered · invested · entrapped · penned in · bottled up · cut off · ringed
ambushed
Attacked from concealment
- assaultedSubjected to physical harm
- batteredDamaged by repeated blows
- pouncedSuddenly jumped to attack
struck · set upon · fell upon · rushed · charged · stormed · raided · waylaid · bushwhacked · jumped
denounced
Publicly accused or condemned
berated · castigated · excoriated · vilified · attacked · blasted · savaged · pilloried · harangued · rebuked
shelled
Outer casing removed
barraged · pummeled · peppered · battered · pounded · riddled · raked · showered · sprayed · hammered
beset
Troubled on all sides
- beleagueredPersistently harassed or troubled
- swampedOverwhelmed beyond capacity
- inundatedOverwhelmed by quantity
engulfed · besieged · plagued · harried · hounded · dogged · tormented · buffeted · overcome · overtaken
challenged
Disputed or questioned
took on · countered · resisted · disputed · contested · accosted · braced · encountered
siege
Encirclement forcing surrender
- encircledSurrounded on all sides
- surroundedBounded on all sides
- blockadedSealed off strategically
hemmed in · beleaguered · invested · entrapped · penned in · bottled up · cut off · ringed
assaileddefended
Shielded from harm
protected · shielded · guarded · safeguarded · sheltered
assailedpraised
Expressed approval of
lauded · extolled · complimented · acclaimed · celebrated
assail, assailant, unassailable, assailable, assailants, assailing, assails, assailer, unassailed