^^^^ :roflmao:
If someone got into your face and started screaming at you, you could argue you were in fear of imminent and serious bodily injury.
If verbal abuse was such as for the individual to believe they were the precursor to an attack. It is not necessary to wait till you are actually struck to defend yourself. Such as if a man with a gun screams abuse, its not necessary to wait till he shoots you. If unarmed he abuses you and then advances on you can strike first. Particularly if it is very clear running would place you at a disadvantage in defending yourself.
https://www.quora.com/Legally-speaking-does-verbal-antagonization-ever-justify-physical-assault