ONSET Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

onset

noun

ˈȯn-ˌset

Definition of onset

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in beginning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 onset New drug for diabetes The first drug that has been found to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes is to become available on the NHS in England and Wales. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 July 2026 But the effort was set aside after the onset of COVID-19, which caused massive disruptions across the Los Angeles Unified School District, said Michael Trujillo, a political strategist for Gonez. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 The three-year war erupted at the onset of the collapse of Yugoslavia, with Bosnia and Herzegovina becoming one of the first countries to declare its independence from the country in 1992. — Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026 Symptoms include sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain that can last three days, according to the CDC. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for onset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset

Noun

Iran’s new energy weapon Following the start of US- and Israeli-led attacks on February 28, Iran almost immediately declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, creating the largest oil supply shock in history.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Michelle Branch is going back to her electric blue beginnings.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
So the players have to lose every contest once to get to Room 8 and discover how to claim ultimate victory, then win every contest to get back to the beginning and correctly count some rice.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of beginning

Noun

Some potential charges include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft and assault.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Depending on the circumstances, charges could include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft, assault, reckless driving, unlawful assembly, conspiracy and other offenses, police said.

— Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Despite a nerve-wracking 1-0 start (before Bellingham knocked in a deuce), Jagger was seen looking grim and pacing around the VIP box.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Mike Hughes didn’t need an OTA practice, let alone a season with 17 starts and the second-most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history, to know the Falcons landed an impact player in safety Xavier Watts last summer.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of start

Noun

Salgado Araujo’s death has sparked an onslaught of demands for accountability from state and local officials.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 10 July 2026
Others worry the onslaught of information will create a culture of hyperfocusing on data, leading to unnecessary panic and restrictive food behaviors.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 8 July 2026

Definition of onslaught

Noun

Some team executives and agents have considered the second apron, set at just under $222 million this coming season, as a de facto hard cap since its inception.

— Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026

Definition of inception

Noun

Authorities conducted the raid after shells recovered from McDougal’s homicide scene were linked to a Pittsburg shooting that occurred inside a 7-Eleven in 2025, authorities said.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Immigration raids and wildfires dissuaded tourists from visiting, and even Canadian tourists who typically make up the largest number of foreign visitors to California dropped 21%.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Those commencement boos came from a young generation that has watched AI reframe entry-level work as inefficiency, seen generative content flood the visual landscape, and built their own creative identities through friction and craft.

— Reid Litman, Fortune, 5 July 2026
There is a reason some students booed commencement speakers who mentioned AI this graduation season.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of commencement

Browse Nearby Words

onrushes

onset

onsets

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Style

“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of onset

noun

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