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to attack vigorously or violently; assault.
to attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse, etc.:
to assail one’s opponent with slander.
to undertake with the purpose of mastering:
He assailed his studies with new determination.
to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset:
His mind was assailed by conflicting arguments. The light assailed their eyes.
Contemporary Examples

assailing her at every turn has been her rapacious political rival, Tony Abbott.
Aussie P.M. Narrowly Escapes Protest, Leaves Shoe Behind Sam Bungey January 27, 2012

Historical Examples

For your own sake, let us be careful to give lying tongues no opportunity of assailing your place in Blanche’s estimation.
Man and Wife Wilkie Collins

These engines were for assailing the walls of the towns and fortresses in the Holy Land.
Richard I Jacob Abbott

But those who expected the Blackfeet to flee in panic when they observed the doubling of the assailing forces, were much mistaken.
The Life of Kit Carson Edward S. Ellis

But a fresh enemy was now assailing the devoted vessel of the pirates.
Mark Seaworth William H.G. Kingston

Chambers are also bored in the live rock, from whence enormous masses of stone might be discharged on an assailing foe.
A Peep into Toorkisthhan Rollo Burslem

We must find some other means of assailing Mars or else give up the attempt.
Edison’s Conquest of Mars Garrett Putnam Serviss

He begins by assailing me with much ridiculous virulence because the chief personages in my story are puppies.
Miscellanies Oscar Wilde

Caesar then took the resolution of assailing the German camp.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

The allies were much disappointed in finding their plan of assailing the village by surprise frustrated.
The Adventures of the Chevalier De La Salle and His Companions, in Their Explorations of the Prairies, Forests, Lakes, and Rivers, of the New World, and Their Interviews with the Savage Tribes, Two Hundred Years Ago John S. C. Abbott

verb (transitive)
to attack violently; assault
to criticize or ridicule vehemently, as in argument
to beset or disturb: his mind was assailed by doubts
to encounter with the intention of mastering: to assail a problem, to assail a difficult mountain ridge
v.

c.1200, from Old French assalir “attack, assault, assail” (12c., Modern French assaillir), from Vulgar Latin *adsalire “to leap at,” from Latin ad- “at” (see ad-) + salire “to leap” (see salient (adj.)). Figurative use from mid-14c. Related: Assailed; assailing; assailable.