How to Use onset in a Sentence

onset

noun
  • The yips are a sudden onset of nerves that cause a golfer to miss an easy putt.
    — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
  • But a gloomy pall has been hung over the conference from the onset.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2022
  • Wacha, the 33-year-old right-hander, was sharp from the onset.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
  • One key difference between a cold and the flu is that the flu has a rapid onset.
    — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023
  • To work, they must be taken within the first two days of symptom onset.
    — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
  • Measles rash appears three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.
    — USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Measles rash appears three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • So, the Padres began a season that will test legs and lungs at the onset.
    — Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022
  • This time, a dozen players were interviewed at the onset of the process.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • This mixture is what Shields attributes to a faster onset.
    — Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
  • At the onset, Butler’s work spread mainly through word of mouth.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee february 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
  • At the onset of the year, the world’s second-largest economy was left for dead.
    — Shuli Ren, Twin Cities, 30 Dec. 2025
  • At the onset of the year, the world’s second-largest economy was left for dead.
    — Shuli Ren, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Early-onset puberty can cause rapid growth at first, then slow down.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Trump’s election in 2016 marked the onset of the third stage.
    — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 16 Mar. 2024
  • In the meantime, here’s what midlife women need to know about adult onset asthma.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Clooney doesn't commit to the whole sudden-onset passion, which is lame.
    — Darren Franich, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2022
  • The day of rash onset is considered day zero.
    — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • White tie fell out of favor at the onset of World War I.
    — Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
  • She's been with the team since its onset and is now an assistant manager.
    — Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 20 May 2026
  • Gordon said that adult onset asthma is very treatable and can be managed.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Measles rashes appear three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Around the same time, their mom began to show signs of early-onset dementia.
    — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
  • These tend to occur within one to three days of symptom onset, said Karan.
    — Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 7 May 2026
  • That’s how the authors determined the sleep onset and waking up times.
    — Chris Smith, BGR, 9 Nov. 2021
  • The north wind reached 23 mph at least once, discouraging dreams of the onset of spring.
    — Martin Weil, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2024
  • But declaring the conflict over and the onset of peace the day after was a bit premature.
    — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
  • About six months ago, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 24 June 2026
  • An onset of rapid drought is caused by extremely dry conditions due to a lack of rainfall.
    — Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 Sep. 2025
  • An onset of rapid drought is caused by extremely dry conditions due to a lack of rainfall.
    — Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 17 Sep. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'onset.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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