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

Now the billionaire was preparing an even bigger onslaught against Bottoms. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Among the onslaught of flavors, the egg is rendered feathery, more texture than anything. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Their onslaught was spearheaded by Adrian Kempe’s fifth career hat trick, which sent them on to just their second victory on home ice this season but the second of this homestand. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026

Marshall’s campaign, in turn, faced an onslaught of controversies that his critics amplified in the race’s final weeks, including his medical debt collection practices and the blurred lines between his office and campaign staff. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 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