onslaught

noun

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

Examples of onslaught in a Sentence

an onslaught by the enemy the massive onslaught of enemy troops caught the country by surprise
Recent Examples on the Web Soon after Congress passed the CARES Act, federal investigators across the country — especially in its fraud capital, South Florida — began preparing for the onslaught of phony pandemic loan applications. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024 It’s blended with an onslaught of shallots, grilled garlic and lemongrass, but its severity remains immutable. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The campaigns and outside groups are spending money accordingly, which means Ohioans can expect an onslaught of ads over the next week. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Scott Peterson/Getty Images/The Christian Science Monitor Ukrainian military planners hope that assessment and all their defenses hold, as Russia seeks to capitalize on momentum gained in mid-February by capturing Avdiivka, much further south, after a costly four-month onslaught. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 More than three years of distance from the daily onslaught has faded, changed — and in some cases, warped — Americans’ memories of events that at the time felt searing. Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Swift ruled 2023 with an onslaught of both new and old music that the world couldn't stop listening to. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 But Los Gatos dug down deep and uncovered the resilience needed to withstand the M-A onslaught, scoring the final four points of the third quarter (all on free throws) and regaining the lead. Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 The district’s hospital system, which had withstood the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, began to teeter. Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near onslaught

Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

onslaught

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

More from Merriam-Webster on onslaught

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