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onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Faced with an unstoppable onslaught of divisive political messaging, social cohesion could break down and government decision-making processes could become paralyzed. James P. Rubin, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the overnight onslaught by Russia, mentioning that 430 drones and 18 missiles were used in the strikes, which left four people dead and many injured, including a pregnant woman. Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025 Sure enough, the studio behind the pink-and-green publicity machine delivered an epic onslaught of all things Oz. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025 In recent years, Davie has managed to withstand an onslaught of scandal. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for onslaught

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of onslaught was circa 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

onslaught

noun
on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
ˈȯn-
: a violent attack

More from Merriam-Webster on onslaught

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