1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of onset
Early-onset puberty can cause rapid growth at first, then slow down.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Take part in the grand strategy, spanning from the onset of the Hundred Years' War to 1837, the year Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, and use diplomacy, military conquest, or trade to achieve the best outcome for your nation.
—PC Magazine, 1 Nov. 2025
This mixture is what Shields attributes to a faster onset.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Isolation and the onset of remote work led to public discussions about accessibility accommodations and mental health, Onaiwu said.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Take part in the grand strategy, spanning from the onset of the Hundred Years' War to 1837, the year Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, and use diplomacy, military conquest, or trade to achieve the best outcome for your nation.
—PC Magazine, 1 Nov. 2025
This mixture is what Shields attributes to a faster onset.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Isolation and the onset of remote work led to public discussions about accessibility accommodations and mental health, Onaiwu said.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
Noun
-
All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But that was the beginning of everything for both of us.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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He is being held on a $2 million bond for a murder charge and must pay $200,000, as well as a $5,000 bond for an assault charge, to be released.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But Ware held his own against the Cavaliers’ talented frontcourt on Monday, totaling 14 rebounds, 20 rebounds, one steal and one block in his third straight start for the injured Adebayo.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
What's the difference between astronomical and meteorological start dates?—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Celtics, well aware of Orlando’s identity as a hyper-physical team that annually ranks near the bottom of the NBA in 3-point volume, weren’t prepared for that onslaught.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Sophomore Flory Bidunga led the onslaught with 23 points while grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots in 25 minutes, with freshman Darryn Peterson dropping 21 points in his collegiate debut.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Since its inception in 2013, the festival has taken place in Los Angeles in the fall, showcasing speculative cinema from around the globe.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Since its inception, IEEPA has been invoked 69 times, and no president has ever used it to impose tariffs.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Three police officers lean on a silver car blocking a Louvre entrance, hours after thieves carried out a daylight raid on French crown jewels.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement 'Exhausted and bruised' The first video from last week, in which agents drive away with a toddler still in the back, took place in Los Angeles during a raid at Home Depot in the Cypress Park neighborhood.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Moore delivered a commencement address at Lincoln University in Gettysburg in May, the same month Gallego and Khanna paid their own visits.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The actor previously gave a commencement speech at the college in 2021.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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