ONSETS Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

onsets

noun

plural of onset

as in attacks

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

as in beginnings

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

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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 onsets Experts said the second earthquake began before the first had even ended, with the two onsets separated by just 39 seconds. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Anxiety disorders can persist into adulthood, particularly those disorders with early onsets and those that are left untreated. — Elana Bernstein, The Conversation, 13 May 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onsets

Noun

Other foreign visitors have, however, been targeted in criminal attacks on Mexico's Pacific coast.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Even as crime in general has declined, the NYPD has reported a 16% increase in hate crimes so far this year, with Jews being the victims in more than half the attacks, officials said.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

The museum will also look back at NBC milestones ranging from the network’s beginnings in radio to color television and the development of the modern late-night talk show.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Many other companies have similar, unlikely stories of their beginnings.

— Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

The city has reported one of its safest summers on record, though felony assaults in transit and hate crimes have both seen increases, by 9% and 15% respectively, according to NYPD stats.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Twice this year, Uber was found liable for driver assaults of passengers.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has won 14 starts and thrown for more than 4,000 yards in each of the past two seasons.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The left-handed-hitting Rodríguez has been put in the leadoff spot in seven of his first 24 big-league starts.

— C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of starts

Noun

During last year’s raids on homes owned by Kadgien and her sister in Mar del Plata, Argentine police also seized two 19th-century paintings, along with other prints and engravings.

— Sergio Farella, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Ask South Florida and Iowa State fans for their feelings on the roster raids Alex Golesh and Matt Campbell did at Auburn and Penn State.

— Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of raids

Noun

In fact, reported evidence suggests this software commitment (from a company making its revenue from hardware) has been crucial to Nvidia’s success in fending off onslaughts from other hardware vendors such as Intel.

— Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Ukraine has been largely helpless in similar Russian onslaughts in recent weeks.

— Tom Bowman, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of onslaughts

Noun

In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.

— Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Definition of alphas

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onset

onsets

onslaught

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“Onsets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onsets. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of onsets

noun

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