How to pronounce assault
Say it like uh-SAWLT. Assault has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAWLT).
- uh
- SAWLT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Assault pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SAWLTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of assault
American and British speakers say assault in essentially the same way: /əˈsɔlt/ in the US and /əˈsɔːlt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SAWLT.
What does assault mean?
- A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.“The army made an assault on the enemy.”
- A violent verbal attack, for example with insults, criticism, and the like“She launched a written assault on the opposition party.”
- An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching the person, such as by raising a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at the person and missing.
- To attack, physically or figuratively; to assail.“Tom was accused of assaulting another man outside a nightclub.”
- To threaten or harass.
Where does assault come from?
From Middle English assaut, from Old French noun assaut, derived from the past participle of the verb assalir, from Late Latin assalīre, from Latin ad (“at, towards”) + salīre (“jump”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- onfall
- onrush
- aggression
- assailment
- attack
- assail
- set on
- ravish
Words that rhyme with assault
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of assault.
Questions about saying assault
How do you pronounce assault?
Say uh-SAWLT. The American pronunciation is /əˈsɔlt/. In British English it is /əˈsɔːlt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in assault?
Assault has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAWLT). Broken into parts: uh · SAWLT.
Do Americans and Brits say assault the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈsɔlt/ and the British form is /əˈsɔːlt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.