How to say "assault" in Japanese

• 攻撃こうげきJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for an attack, whether military or figurative, such as a verbal attack or criticism. For 'assault' it fits the sense of attacking, not physically assaulting a person.
  敵てきは夜よるに私達わたしたちを攻撃こうげきした。↗

  The enemy attacked us at night.
• 攻めるせめるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to attack or assail: to go after an enemy position, a castle, or an opponent in a game or contest. It is not the word for physically assaulting someone.
  彼かれは私にその問題もんだいをいかに攻せめるべきかについて教おしえてくれた。↗

  He enlightened me on how I should attack the subject.
• 暴行ぼうこうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbAssault as an act of physical violence against a person, including the criminal or legal sense. When 'assault' means attacking someone's body rather than an enemy position, this is the word.
  その中年ちゅうねんの男おとこは暴行ぼうこうのかどで訴うったえられた。↗

  The middle aged man was charged with assault.
• 襲撃しゅうげきJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA surprise attack or raid: striking a target suddenly, whether a military position, a facility, or a person. It emphasizes the sudden, ambush-like character of the assault.
  彼かれはそこで反徒はんとの襲撃しゅうげきを受うけた。↗

  He was attacked there by the rebels.
• 乱暴らんぼうJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, na-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbPrimarily roughness or wildness: violence as a general quality or rough treatment, rather than a specific assault. For the crime of assault it is only a marginal match.
  弟おとうとの乱暴らんぼうはこのごろ目めに余あまる。↗

  My brother has been much too rowdy lately.

Use 攻撃 for attacks in general, 「攻める」 for the verb "to attack" an enemy or position, 暴行 for physical assault on a person, 襲撃 for surprise attacks or raids, and 乱暴 loosely for rough violence.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 攻撃こうげきattack
• 攻めるせめるto attack
• 暴行ぼうこうassault
• 襲撃しゅうげき(surprise) attack
• 乱暴らんぼうviolence
• 強襲きょうしゅうassault
• 殴り込みなぐりこみraid
• 急襲きゅうしゅうraid
• 攻略こうりゃくcapture (of enemy territory)
• 突撃とつげきcharge
• せめattack
• 来襲らいしゅう(incoming) attack
• 加害かがいassault
• アサルトassault
• 攻め落とすせめおとすto take by storm (e.g. a castle)
• 襲撃事件しゅうげきじけんraid
• 凸るとつるto charge
• 凸するとつするto charge
• 陵虐りょうぎゃくhumiliation
• 暴行罪ぼうこうざい(crime of) assault
• 辱めるはずかしめるto violate