1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
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The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
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Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
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Roberts has an American Dream story - from his beginnings in an orphanage in South Korea.
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Here's to family, friendship, new beginnings, and making the most beautiful memories yet.
Noun
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Ukrainian officials describe the strikes as a campaign to pressure Moscow to end the war by undermining its military logistics and supply lines and weakening its ability to mount assaults along the front.
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Ukrainian officials describe the strikes as a campaign to pressure Moscow to end the war by undermining military logistics and supply lines and weakening its ability to mount front-line assaults.
Noun
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Schlittler allowed four homers after allowing six homers in his first 17 starts.
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Before processing starts, these enclaves employ attestation mechanisms to confirm the integrity of the code and environment.
Noun
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In January, the military government claimed the country’s largest-ever seizures of illicit drugs and drug-manufacturing equipment, taken from a total of 12 drug production sites during a series of raids in the northern part of Shan state.
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No one was arrested in the raids.
Noun
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Recent Harvard commencements have grown much more political.
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Originally called MarchingOrder, Tassel had provided services for commencements for around 20 years before adding the AI name offering.
Noun
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Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine.
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Wardley, 31, had never lost in 21 bouts before Saturday, and somehow withstood numerous onslaughts from Dubois (23-3) without ever touching the canvas in a remarkable display of courage.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Onsets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onsets. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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