" assail "

1: to criticize harshly and usually publicly;

  * e.g., " ... the union organizers assailed the chemical company for failing to provide a safe working environment "

•  Synonyms : 

•  abuse,

•  attack,

•  bash,

•  belabor,

•  blast,

•  castigate,

•  excoriate,

•  jump (on),

•  lambaste,

•  potshot,

•  savage,

•  scathe,

•  slam,

•  trash,

•  vituperate

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

2: to take sudden, violent action against;

  * e.g., " ... the small birds assailed the larger one that had threatened their nest "

•  Synonyms : 

•  assault,

•  attack,

•  beset,

•  bushwhack,

•  charge,

•  descend (on or upon),

•  go in (on),

•  jump (on),

•  pounce (on or upon),

•  raid,

•  rush,

•  set on,

•  sic,

•  storm,

•  strike,

•  trash,

•  turn (on)

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)