onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
ˈȯn-
Synonyms of onslaught
: an especially fierce attack
… the tremendous onslaught across the Rhine …—Winston Churchill
also : something resembling such an attack
an onslaught of technological changes
Employers are expecting an onslaught of recent college graduates.

Synonyms of onslaught

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Examples of onslaught in a Sentence

an onslaught by the enemy the massive onslaught of enemy troops caught the country by surprise
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Its songs are littered with black holes, disasters, nuclear bombs; there are guttural screams and onslaughts of distorted guitar. — Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026 The onslaught opened with an alley-oop slam by Wembanyama followed by a 3-pointer from Devin Vassell. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 What happened in return was an Israeli military onslaught that has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and left most of Gaza destroyed. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026 Amplified by Ted Lasso‘s pandemic release, Mohammed felt sheltered from much of the onslaught of attention. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onslaught

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch aanslag act of striking; akin to Old English an on and to Old English slēan to strike — more at slay

First Known Use

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onslaught was circa 1625

Rhymes for onslaught

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Browse Nearby Words

on skid row
onslaught
on someone's account
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Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

onslaught

noun
on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
ˈȯn-
: a violent attack
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