The term 'assail verbally' refers to attacking someone with words. BELABOUR, BERATE, REVILE, and BELITTLE are all synonyms for this phrase. BELABOUR means to criticize or attack someone in a long and tedious manner. BERATE means to scold or criticize someone harshly. REVILE means to express strong disapproval of someone or something. Finally, BELITTLE means to make someone or something seem unimportant or worthless. All of these words describe the act of verbally attacking someone.