Meaning of assail

(verb) attack someone physically or emotionally; "The mugger assaulted the woman"; "Nightmares assailed him regularly"

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