Cool MateAssault vs Maul
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assault
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Maul
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Assault
| Assault | Maul | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈsɔːlt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈsɔːlt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //mɔːl//🇺🇸 //mɔl// |
| Meaning | A violent attack on someone. | To injure someone badly by attacking them. |
| Example | The criminal was charged with assault after the altercation in the bar. | The lion began to maul its prey as the crowd watched in horror. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | brutal, ferocious, savage, series, wave, carry out, commit, be the victim of, happen, occur, take place, assault against, assault on, assault upon, allegations of assault, assault and battery, all-out, direct, frontal, series, begin, carry out, conduct, course, operation, gun, under assault, assault on, all-out, direct, frontal, series, begin, carry out, conduct, course, operation, gun, under assault, assault on | maul by a dog, maul a victim, seriously maul, maul to death, mauling incident |
| Antonyms | peace, defense, protection | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'assaulted' vs 'assaulting' when conjugating., Using 'assault' as a noun instead of a verb., Mixing up the meaning with 'assault weapon' which refers specifically to a type of gun. | Confused with 'mull' (to think over), Using 'maul' when referring to gentle play instead of harm., Incorrect tense usage, e.g., 'mauls' instead of 'mauling'. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in legal contexts or discussions about violence. It can refer to both physical and verbal attacks. Avoid in casual conversations; use 'hit' or 'attack' instead. | Used primarily in contexts involving animals or physical attacks. Avoid in formal writing; instead use 'attack' or 'assault'. |
Frequently asked questions: Assault vs Maul
What's the difference between Assault and Maul?
Assault: A violent attack on someone. Maul: To injure someone badly by attacking them.
Which is more common: Assault and Maul?
Assault is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assault: The criminal was charged with assault after the altercation in the bar. Maul: The lion began to maul its prey as the crowd watched in horror.
Can I use Assault and Maul interchangeably?
Not always. Assault and Maul are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.