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
Nationally, fatal opioid overdoses surged after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with deaths cresting in 2022 and 2023, records show.
—
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
That was the first full school year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many schools shifted entirely to remote instruction.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
At the onset of the year, the world’s second-largest economy was left for dead.
—Shuli Ren, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Perhaps its the heat of my new apartment or the realities of a colder-than-usual New York City winter, but the onset of chilly temps has done a number on my skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onset
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
That was the first full school year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many schools shifted entirely to remote instruction.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
At the onset of the year, the world’s second-largest economy was left for dead.
—Shuli Ren, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Perhaps its the heat of my new apartment or the realities of a colder-than-usual New York City winter, but the onset of chilly temps has done a number on my skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
Noun
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Good's defenders – including city and state leaders – are calling what happened an unjustified attack; federal authorities say the agent was acting in self-defense.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Indiana went on a 14-1 run in the third to take the lead from Nebraska (14-2, 3-2) for the first time since the beginning of the game, leading briefly at 51-49.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
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As for the Lady Kate, Furrer said the 110-foot boat stopped cruising at the beginning of the pandemic.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
-
The system adapts to tone and intent without forcing app switching or blank-page starts.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Multiple King of Fire, which got its start as a food truck and expanded to a permanent space in uptown Charlotte, plans to open a 3,484-square-foot space at CrossRidge Center across the border in Indian Land, South Carolina.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
-
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
-
Factors That Have Affected the Concept Since the work triangle’s inception, the kitchen has changed, leading to numerous factors that have advanced the work triangle, too.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Since their inception, social media companies have implemented protective measures for users such as filtering bullying comments and enabling minors to opt out of seeing personalized ads.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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The inspirational book was adapted from the former Navy SEAL’s viral 2014 commencement speech for the University of Texas.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
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Oakland University, in Rochester, Michigan, says fall commencement services will take place as planned, despite recent campus building closings related to problems with its high-temperature hot water pipe system.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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