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Assault vs Ambush - What's the difference?

assault | ambush |

As nouns the difference between assault and ambush

is that assault is a violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town while ambush is the act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.

As verbs the difference between assault and ambush

is that assault is to attack, threaten or harass while ambush is to station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.

assault

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
  • * Prescott
    • The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault .
  • * Shakespeare
    • Unshaken bears the assault / Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
  • A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.
  • (criminal, legal) An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
  • (singulare tantum, legal) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
  • An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
  • (singulare tantum, legal) The tort whose action is such an act.
  • (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.

    • Synonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * antiassault * assault and battery * nonassault * reassault

    Coordinate terms

    * battery

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To attack, threaten or harass.

    • ambush

    English

    Noun

    (ambushes)
  • The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.
  • An attack launched from a concealed position.
  • * Milton
    • Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege / Or ambush from the deep.
  • The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.
  • * Bible, Josh. viii. 19
    • The ambush arose quickly out of their place.

    Derived terms

    * ambush marketing * ambush journalism

    Verb

    (es)
  • To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
  • * Dryden
    • By ambushed men behind their temple laid / We have the king of Mexico betrayed.
  • To attack by ambush; to waylay.