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

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

The onslaught of games during this group stage has meant the day’s action often starts with lunch and is still going long after much of the country is asleep. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Jey slipped outside of the ring to avoid the onslaught, but Oba remained in hot pursuit. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Poles opened their homes to millions of Ukrainian refugees escaping Russia’s onslaught in early 2022, and the NATO member has remained steadfast in its military support for Ukraine and its deeper integration into the European community. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 June 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