ONRUSH Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

onrush

noun

ˈȯn-ˌrəsh

Definition of onrush

as in advance

forward movement in time or place a sudden onrush of development in an area that was rural until very recently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of onrush True leadership in the 21st century's defining technology will depend less on the rapid unveiling of the next breakthrough than on preparing society to absorb, adapt to, and guide the onrush of change. — Arafat Kabir, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 The joys of the past week; the Christmas presents, the Hanukkah latkes and the unity and faith of Kwanzaa can soon be merely memories that get lost in the onrush of time and life. — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024 Pure knowledge work is more likely to be disrupted by the onrush of AI technology than will be jobs that require manipulating objects in the real world. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 Ching may be somewhat narratively sidelined, but Mui’s final screen performance is a thing of aching delicacy and the movie’s stealth emotional weapon, marked by a restraint that gives way, in the end, to a cathartic onrush of tears. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 23 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for onrush

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onrush

Noun

To simulate thwarting advances by enemy forces using the bridge, soldiers erected layers of barriers and rolled barbed wire.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
An internal skunkworks was set up in California with a brief to rethink the idea of a universal EV platform from the ground up, taking into account the advances made by EV startups and clean-sheet designs both in the US but especially China.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of advance

Noun

Rather than a celebration, the film plays more like a funeral procession, or perhaps a bedside vigil for a man who has, indeed, seemingly sacrificed his life in pursuit of his art.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
On Saturday, members of multiple North Texas Jeep clubs are expected to line part of Gonzales' funeral procession route near Prestonwood Baptist Church.

— Erin Jones, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of procession

Noun

But that effort has moved slowly in the months since, spurring frustration among some White House and health officials that HHS doesn’t yet have any significant progress for the administration to tout, two administration officials said.

— Adam Cancryn, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
As a thought leader in existential psychology and human motivation, Clay translates research into practical insights that help people reach their full potential, build meaningful lives, and advance human progress and flourishing.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of progress

Noun

In 2016, Crum first documented an alarming spike in severe black lung — as well as rapid progression of the disease — among younger and younger coal miners.

— Howard Berkes, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
Doctors are hopeful this surgery opens up new realm of medicine to stop progression of disease, before birth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of progression

Noun

Under such an approach, negotiations would focus first on halting the production and advancement of nuclear weapons, rather than demanding the dismantlement of North Korea's existing arsenal at the outset.

— Se Eun Gong, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Despite Japan’s technological advancements, China continues to maintain a considerable advantage in fleet size and shipbuilding capacity.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of advancement

Browse Nearby Words

on record

onrush

onrushes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Onrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onrush. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of onrush

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

invidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes