Assault vs. Battery: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Assault is the threat or attempt to inflict harm, while battery is the actual physical act of causing harm.
Key Differences
Assault refers to the action of making a threat or attempt to physically harm someone, implying a sense of fear or imminent harm. Battery, in contrast, involves the actual physical contact or infliction of harm on another person.
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Nov 21, 2023
In legal terms, assault doesn't necessarily require physical contact; it's the act of creating a reasonable apprehension of harm. Battery, however, is characterized by the unlawful application of force to another person resulting in either bodily injury or an offensive touch.
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Nov 21, 2023
Assault can occur even if the victim is unharmed, as it focuses on the intention and threat of harm. Battery specifically requires physical contact, whether harmful or merely offensive, without the consent of the victim.
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Nov 21, 2023
The severity of assault is often judged based on the level of fear and apprehension caused, while battery is assessed based on the extent of physical harm or contact.
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Nov 21, 2023
Assault charges can be filed in situations where the threat of harm is evident, even if no physical harm occurs. Battery charges typically require evidence of physical contact or injury.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Legal Consideration
Based on fear or apprehension
Based on extent of contact or injury
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Assault and Battery Definitions
Assault
Assault is an intentional act that creates a fear of imminent harmful or offensive contact.
The boxer was charged with assault for threatening his opponent outside the ring.
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Nov 17, 2023
Battery
Battery is the intentional and unlawful physical contact or harm to another person.
Hitting someone during a heated argument is considered battery.
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Nov 17, 2023
Assault
Assault is a criminal act involving a threat or attempt to cause harm to another.
Shouting threats and advancing with a raised fist, he committed assault.
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Nov 17, 2023
Battery
Battery is any willful, offensive physical contact with someone without their consent.
The athlete was accused of battery for pushing a fan.
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Nov 17, 2023
Assault
Assault involves making someone reasonably afraid of an imminent battery.
Her aggressive stance and verbal threats constituted an assault.
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Battery
Battery involves physically striking or harming someone in an offensive manner.
Throwing an object at someone and hitting them can be classified as battery.
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Battery
(Electricity) A device containing an electric cell or a series of electric cells storing chemical energy that can be converted into electrical energy, usually in the form of direct current.
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Assault
A military attack, such as one launched against a fortified area or place.
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Assault
The concluding stage of an attack in which close combat occurs with the enemy.
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Battery
(Law) The unlawful and unwanted touching or striking of one person by another, with the intention of bringing about a harmful or offensive contact.
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Assault
The act or an instance of unlawfully threatening or attempting to injure another.
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Battery
An army artillery unit, corresponding to a company in the infantry.
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Battery
An array of similar things intended for use together
Took a battery of achievement tests.
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Assault
A rigorous or energetic effort to accomplish something difficult
An assault on the mountain's summit.
An assault on poverty.
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Battery
A device used to power electric devices, consisting of a set of electrically connected electrochemical or, archaically, electrostatic cells. A single such cell when used by itself.
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Battery
(legal) The infliction of unlawful physical violence on a person, legally distinguished from assault, which includes the threat of impending violence.
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Assault
A violent onset or attack with physical means, for example blows, weapons, etc.
The army made an assault on the enemy.
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Assault
A violent verbal attack, for example with insults, criticism, and the like
She launched a written assault on the opposition party
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Battery
An array of similar things.
Schoolchildren take a battery of standard tests to measure their progress.
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Assault
An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching the person, such as by raising a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at the person and missing.
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Battery
A set of small cages where hens are kept for the purpose of farming their eggs.
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Assault
An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm (such as brandishing a weapon).
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Battery
(chess) Two or more major pieces on the same rank, file, or diagonal
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Assault
(transitive) To attack, physically or figuratively; to assail.
Tom was accused of assaulting another man outside a nightclub.
Loud music assaulted our ears as we entered the building.
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Assault
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.
The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.
Unshaken bears the assaultOf their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
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Battery
The unlawful beating of another. It includes every willful, angry and violent, or negligent touching of another's person or clothes, or anything attached to his person or held by him.
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Assault
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.
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Battery
Any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, for attack or defense.
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Assault
An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.
Practically, however, the word assault is used to include the battery.
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Battery
A number of coated jars (Leyden jars) so connected that they may be charged and discharged simultaneously.
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Assault
To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men; to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or menaces.
Insnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound.
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Battery
A number of similar machines or devices in position; an apparatus consisting of a set of similar parts; as, a battery of boilers, of retorts, condensers, etc.
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Assault
To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a reputation or an administration.
Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . . Assault his ears.
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Battery
A series of stamps operated by one motive power, for crushing ores containing the precious metals.
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Assault
A threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
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Assault
The crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
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Battery
A device that produces electricity; may have several primary or secondary cells arranged in parallel or series
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Assault
Attack someone physically or emotionally;
The mugger assaulted the woman
Nightmares assailed him regularly
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Battery
A collection of related things intended for use together;
Took a battery of achievement tests
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Assault
Force (someone) to have sex against their will;
The woman was raped on her way home at night
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Assault
Attack in speech or writing;
The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker
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Assault
Assault can be any act that intentionally causes another person to fear imminent physical harm.
Pointing a weapon at someone, even if not used, is considered assault.
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Nov 17, 2023
Battery
The heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target;
They laid down a barrage in front of the advancing troops
The shelling went on for hours without pausing
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Assault
Assault is an attempt or threat to strike a person, regardless of contact made.
The raised hand in a threatening manner was enough to charge him with assault.
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Nov 17, 2023
Battery
Battery is making harmful or unwelcome physical contact with another person.
Slapping a person during a dispute amounts to battery.
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Battery
Battery includes any form of physical assault resulting in injury or unwanted contact.
He was charged with battery after kicking the intruder.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is physical contact necessary for battery?
Yes, battery requires unlawful physical contact or harm.
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Is consent a defense to battery?
Consent can be a defense to battery if the person willingly accepts the risk of harm.
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What constitutes an assault?
Assault is an action creating a reasonable fear of harm in another person.
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What are common examples of battery?
Common examples of battery include hitting, pushing, or slapping another person.
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Can words alone constitute assault?
In some cases, threatening words may be enough to constitute assault if they create fear.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does battery always cause injury?
Battery does not always cause injury; offensive or unwanted contact is sufficient.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can assault be accidental?
Assault typically involves intentional action, so accidental actions don't usually qualify.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is grabbing someone's arm battery?
Yes, grabbing someone's arm can be considered battery if it's unwanted contact.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can assault occur without a physical attack?
Yes, assault can occur without physical contact, based on the threat of harm.
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How is assault proven in court?
Assault is proven by showing that the defendant's actions created a fear of harm.
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Can you be charged with assault without touching someone?
Yes, you can be charged with assault without making physical contact.
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Are assault and battery civil or criminal charges?
Assault and battery can be both civil and criminal charges, depending on the case.
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What is the legal penalty for battery?
Legal penalties for battery vary, ranging from fines to imprisonment.
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Can threats of future harm be assault?
Threats of future harm are generally not considered assault unless there's imminent fear.
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Can self-defense be a response to assault?
Self-defense can be a response if there's a reasonable fear of imminent harm.
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Can throwing an object be considered battery?
Yes, throwing an object that hits someone can be considered battery.
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Nov 21, 2023
Are assault and battery always charged together?
Assault and battery can be charged separately or together, depending on the circumstances.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can verbal threats escalate to battery?
Verbal threats may escalate to battery if they lead to physical contact.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is spitting on someone considered battery?
Yes, spitting on someone can be considered battery as it is offensive contact.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is accidently bumping into someone battery?
Accidental contact like bumping into someone is usually not considered battery.
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Nov 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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