Which statement best defines assault in tort law?

• A. Unwarranted harmful contact
• B. Actions that instill fear or harm
• C. Unlawful detention without justification
• D. Breach of contract

Answer: (C)

Assault in tort law centers on an intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact. The key point is that no actual contact is required—the threat of harm suffices if the person reasonably believes it is about to occur. This distinguishes assault from battery, which involves actual harmful or offensive contact. False imprisonment is about confinement without justification, and breach of contract is a contract-law issue. So, the statement describing actions that instill fear or the anticipation of harm best captures assault, since it focuses on the threat and the victim’s awareness of imminent harm.