Attack vs. Assault

'Assault' is commonly used to indicate personal acts of violence, when talking about using violence against an individual such as cases of domestic violence or brawl. It is mostly used in legal context, when discussing the act as a crime. Furthermore, it primarily conveys a physical and sudden connotation, often implying direct physical harm, such as hitting, striking, or physically threatening someone. 'Attack', on the other hand, can refer to a broader range of scenarios, including physical or non-physical as well as personal and impersonal acts of violence such as military attacks, terrorist attacks, or even animals attacking their prey. It often conveys the idea of taking hostile action or initiating aggression against someone or something and might involve physically advancing towards a person or target with the intention of causing harm, even if no actual harm is inflicted. Here are some examples: