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

However, what comes with starring in a show that’s focused on the romance of two male hockey players is an onslaught of people speculating their real-life sexualities and partners. —Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 2 Jan. 2026

Beau Sparks opened the onslaught with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Brad Jackson on the first drive of the third quarter. —Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026

As the New Year approaches, so does the onslaught of health advice. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 30 Dec. 2025

According to Pugh, the onslaught of definitive pop-punk and emo music is a result of post 9/11 America. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025

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