: an especially fierce attack
… the tremendous onslaught across the Rhine …—
Winston Churchill
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
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
The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player played a major role in the US’ offensive onslaught, providing an assist.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
The tumor microenvironment allows cancer to withstand an onslaught from a body’s natural immune defenses.
—Charles J. Dimitroff, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
So far, though, the onslaught of diners shows no signs of slowing.
—Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Bass has faced an onslaught of critical tests of leadership since being elected as mayor, including the city's ongoing homelessness crisis, the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023, the Palisades Fire and increased immigration enforcement operations that started in 2025.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for onslaught
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Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
The tumor microenvironment allows cancer to withstand an onslaught from a body’s natural immune defenses.
—Charles J. Dimitroff, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
So far, though, the onslaught of diners shows no signs of slowing.
—Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Bass has faced an onslaught of critical tests of leadership since being elected as mayor, including the city's ongoing homelessness crisis, the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023, the Palisades Fire and increased immigration enforcement operations that started in 2025.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for onslaught
Cite this Entry
“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
onslaught
noun
on·slaught
ˈän-ˌslȯt 
ˈȯn-
: a violent attack
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