What term describes the act of threatening or attempting to strike another party, whether successful or not, if the target is aware of it?

The term that describes the act of threatening or attempting to strike another party, regardless of whether the action is successful or not, is assault. This is because assault involves creating apprehension in the victim that they may be harmed. If the target is aware of the threat or the attempt to strike, it fulfills the criteria for assault, as the victim's perception of imminent danger is key to the definition.

Battery, while often confused with assault, specifically refers to the actual physical act of striking or harming someone. Harassment involves a broader range of behaviors intended to annoy or torment someone, rather than focusing on the immediate threat of physical violence. Intimidation may reflect behavior meant to instill fear, but it does not necessarily encompass the direct threat or attempt of physical harm found in assault. Therefore, assault is the most accurate term for the situation described.