Synonym Study

• Bombard means to attack with artillery or bombs, and in figurative use suggests persistent, repetitious action to bombard a speaker with questions
• Storm suggests a rushing, powerful assault that is stormlike in its action and effect
• Beset implies an attack or onset from all sides beset with fears
• Assault implies a sudden, violent attack or onslaught and suggests direct contact and the use of force
• Assail means to attack by or as if by repeated blows or thrusts assailed by reproaches
• Attack implies vigorous, aggressive action, whether in actual combat or in an undertaking to attack a city, to attack a problem