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
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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
According to many of the physicians who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, video calls’ increasing pervasiveness since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 — termed the Zoom Boom among industry insiders — has been one of the most notable shifts in recent years.
—
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the 10-year rate has steadily climbed to about 4.5%, helping lift mortgage rates to about 6.5%.
—Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 29 July 2025
This behavior has been accelerating since the onset of Covid-19, when many consumers retreated to staple products and brands.
—Chris Fosdick, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Since the investigation’s onset, Picerno has been vocal that Willis knew nothing about the men’s deaths.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the 10-year rate has steadily climbed to about 4.5%, helping lift mortgage rates to about 6.5%.
—Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 29 July 2025
This behavior has been accelerating since the onset of Covid-19, when many consumers retreated to staple products and brands.
—Chris Fosdick, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Since the investigation’s onset, Picerno has been vocal that Willis knew nothing about the men’s deaths.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
Noun
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Given the dynamics of last year’s presidential contest, in which worries about rising costs of living played a role in Californian Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump, California’s very high costs for housing and other fundamental living needs, would be fodder for attacks on Newsom in 2028.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Due date for individuals and businesses impacted by recent terrorist attacks in Israel.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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From the beginning of his trial, his sisters have been supportive of Jussie.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
22 Aug. 2025
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That is up from Politico's previous poll, conducted at the beginning of June, which showed Porter with 6 percent in a head-to-head matchup.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While other governments rushed to make concessions in the face of Trump’s tariff onslaught, India has remained defiant.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Just like Weapons, this simple premise gives way to an onslaught of horrific twists.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Giants’ first round pick made his first start as an NFL quarterback in the team’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, Wentz has a 2.60 ERA in seven games (six starts) since the Braves claimed him off waivers in July from the Minnesota Twins, who had claimed him off waivers in June from the Pittsburgh Pirates.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Key Background In June, Trump took control of the California National Guard to respond to ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, quickly sending some 4,000 troops to the city.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Earlier in January, Homan was joined by the TV personality Dr. Phil in a blitz of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That allegation triggered a massive police response to USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth − where Plymouth High School was holding its commencement ceremony − out of fear of a credible shooting threat.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Viola Davis and Walter Murch were awarded honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degrees by the American Film Institute at the conservatory’s commencement ceremony.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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In less than half a year since its inception, the company secured $2 billion in seed funding in July, reaching a valuation of approximately $12 billion.—
,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
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The Cheval Noir represents the political fight that pushed Montreal to become one of Canada’s most progressive cities — an ideology that’s been at the core of the festival since its inception.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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