onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt 

ˈȯn-

: 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

• attack
• assault
• offensive
• raid
• offense
• aggression
• strike

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

He was forced to climb into his carriage to escape the onslaught. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026

The Royals used the majority of their bullpen in the onslaught. — Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

In Texas, ranchers are bracing for an onslaught of screwworms, the flesh-eating maggots of blowflies. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Sheepstealer, the wild, untamed dragon claimed by Lady Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), is still a roll of the dice after going rogue during the Gullet onslaught. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

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

Rhymes for onslaught

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

Kids Definition

onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt 

ˈȯn-

: a violent attack