Assault is best defined as:

Assault is best defined as the act of threatening to cause harm without consent. This definition encompasses the essential elements of assault, which include the intent to instill fear and the perception of imminent harm in the victim. It is not necessary for physical contact to occur for an act to qualify as assault; the mere act of threatening poses a danger to the victim and can result in psychological harm.

In legal terms, assault focuses on the action taken to cause apprehension of harm, distinguishing it from battery, which involves physical contact. The element of consent is also critical; if there was consent to the action, it typically does not constitute assault. Understanding this definition is essential for recognizing the boundaries of acceptable conduct and the importance of consent in interpersonal interactions.

Other definitions, such as unwanted touching, false statements, or deceptive acts, do not capture the unique aspects of assault, which specifically relate to the threat of harm rather than physical contact or dishonesty. Each of these actions can relate to other offenses, but they do not incorporate the defining characteristic of assault that involves the fear of imminent harm.