Assailant
/əˈseɪlənt/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A person who attacks or assaults another.
/əˈseɪlənt/
nounnegativeIntermediate
General
A person who attacks another person.
The assailant fled the scene after the robbery.
💡 Simply: Someone who attacks.
More Examples
2
Police are searching for the assailant.
How It's Used
Legal
"The assailant was apprehended by police shortly after the incident."
News Reporting
"Witnesses described the assailant as a tall man wearing a dark coat."
From Old French assailant, present participle of assaillir "to assault," from Latin ad- + salire "to leap, jump." The word reflects the image of someone suddenly attacking.
The word's usage has remained consistent throughout history, primarily in legal and crime-related contexts.
Memory tip
Think of 'assault' - the assailant is the one doing the assaulting.
Practice
Base: assault
asailantassalentassaillant
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written