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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Russia set new wartime records for both the scale and pace of its missile attacks on Ukraine in July, according to data released by the Ukrainian Air Force.

— Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Chicagoans hear reports of assaults on trains and violent robberies in places like Wicker Park and mass shootings on the South and West sides, which have also crept into the Loop.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Phillips was considered the most gifted running back prospect of his generation but domestic violence, assaults, probation violations, prison sentences, and ultimately a murder charge overshadowed the talent.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Kremer has allowed 12 home runs in seven starts this year, avoiding a home run in only one of those turns and ceding multiple homers in three of them.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
The two-time All-Star was 0-4 in his final seven starts for New York and hasn’t won since pitching five innings in an 8-1 victory over the Braves on June 14.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of starts

Noun

Armed groups, known as bandits in Nigeria, regularly carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central parts of the country.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin promised quieter operations, in contrast to sweeping street raids seen in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Chicago.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of raids

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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Style

“Onsets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onsets. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of onsets

noun

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