Which of the following actions would be considered an assault?

The action of attempting to scare someone without physical contact can indeed be classified as assault, specifically in terms of legal definitions. Assault does not always require physical harm or contact; it can also encompass the intention to instigate fear of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. When a person tries to intimidate or threaten another individual in a manner that causes the victim to feel fear for their safety, it fulfills the criteria of assault. This is recognized in many legal systems, where the mere act of creating apprehension in another person can be enough to constitute assault.

In contrast, the other options either involve physical contact without the necessary intent or do not create a legitimate fear of harm. For instance, while pushing someone down might involve physical action, if it does not cause injury and is not accompanied by the intent to intimidate or instill fear, it may not meet the legal definition of assault. Similarly, making threatening gestures could indicate intent, but without the context of causing fear of imminent harm, it may not be legally classified as assault. Poking someone lightly, while it involves contact, does not create fear or harm as required for assault. Thus, the action of attempting to scare someone without contact aligns best with the legal definition of assault.