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
Because of longer life expectancies, the onset of symptoms thankfully was not static at 35, but regardless of when people entered their midlife crisis, evidence of the phenomenon was observed around the world.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
The results also showed increases in obesity among younger ages over the past several decades, representing earlier onset of obesity.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Lyons Peak Brewing Well known in local homebrew circles for his lifelong obsession with fermentation and award-winning beers, Chad Steven debuted the first commercial offering from his Lyons Peak Brewing at the onset of last year’s San Diego Beer Week.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026
Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, off-premise sales made up about 30% of the restaurant’s revenue.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onset
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
The results also showed increases in obesity among younger ages over the past several decades, representing earlier onset of obesity.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Lyons Peak Brewing Well known in local homebrew circles for his lifelong obsession with fermentation and award-winning beers, Chad Steven debuted the first commercial offering from his Lyons Peak Brewing at the onset of last year’s San Diego Beer Week.
—Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026
Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, off-premise sales made up about 30% of the restaurant’s revenue.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
Noun
-
His June assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities had two carrier groups in the region, more there as a counter-weight to any Iranian reprisals than to be directly involved in the attack.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Senegal -- The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on an air force base in Niger's capital that wounded four soldiers and damaged an aircraft.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That’s been around since the beginning of time.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.—
OLIVIA DIAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Pretti was shot while agents were evidently seeking to detain a man, Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said had an extensive criminal record including domestic assault.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rose finished birdie-birdie on the South Course in La Jolla, completing a round that began with a strong start.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
To this day, artists who get their start at the Sundance Institute and at the film festival go on to shape storytelling, independent cinema, and our collective culture.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past two weeks, a persistent onslaught of snow and ice made much of Charlotte grind to a halt.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Carpenter’s goal began the scoring onslaught for Team USA.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Since its inception in 2006, the Gala has raised more than $26 million, with beneficiaries including the Jackson Memorial Foundation Angels benefiting Holtz Children’s Hospital; SafeSpace; Dedication to Community; Home Strong; the American Cancer Society, and others.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
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Sacerio succeeds Heather Kadin, who joined the Scripted Television division of Range Studios at its inception in the Spring of 2022, and has recently transitioned to independent producing, including as an EP on a forthcoming Apple series based on the Joona Linna novels by Lars Kepler.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The first raid left 30 insurgents dead in Panjgur district in Balochistan province, according to a military statement.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The ban came after a series of immigration raids in and around Los Angeles, where federal agents were spotted wearing masks.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Still, none of these details have stopped Shetty’s ascent; just this past year, the podcast host wrapped a North American tour, gave a commencement speech at Princeton University, and brought his tea brand to Whole Foods nationwide.—
Alexa Lee,
STAT,
27 Jan. 2026
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Wallace gave a commencement speech for the ages, but homily was not his métier.—
Hermione Hoby,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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