onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset 

ˈän-

1

: attack, assault

withstand the onset of the army

2

: beginning, commencement

the onset of winter

the onset of age-related diseases

Synonyms of onset

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

Examples of onset in a Sentence

the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion

the claim that if you take enough vitamin C at the onset of a cold, you'll often recover faster

Recent Examples on the Web

Counsell thought Suzuki’s at-bats looked good from the onset of Tuesday’s game and felt the swings in his first at-bat were a great sign. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

Using weed after the onset of a mental condition can increase the chance of relapse. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026

And some of their contemporaries led the way in the online onset of praise for their honesty and perseverance. —Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2026

Symptom timing and onset also vary. —Allison Forsyth, Health, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing onset

• adult-onset diabetes
• juvenile-onset diabetes

Rhymes for onset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset 

ˈän-

1

: attack entry 2 sense 1

2

: beginning sense 1

Medical Definition

onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset, ˈän- 

: the initial existence or symptoms of a disease

the onset of scarlet fever