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

Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Israeli intelligence believes Iran moved part of its enriched uranium stockpile to Pickaxe Mountain after last June’s attacks, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

The evening ritual is a sweet hat tip to the property’s beginnings—more on that below.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Astrologically, solar eclipses are equivalent to a super potent new moon, and are often associated with new beginnings, redirections and chapters that continue developing over time.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

The lawsuit claims the store manager took videos of the assaults and ordered employees to participate in the assaults and record their own videos.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Russia will likely continue using a limited number of mechanized assaults while relying primarily on small-unit infiltrations.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Landen Roupp entered play having allowed just three earned runs over his last three starts but couldn’t find the strike zone against Milwaukee, allowing four runs over 3 2/3 innings with three walks.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
The lefty has allowed 20 home runs in 13 starts and three relief appearances this year, permitting four in his previous three games, allowing at least one in each of those turns.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of starts

Noun

Palestinians described searches that included raids of a hospital in the city of Nablus, one of the territory's most violent areas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Though the Department of Homeland Security last week ordered agents to pause most vehicle stops, organizers said reports of immigration raids continue to fuel fear and uncertainty throughout immigrant communities.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of raids

Noun

Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
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.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 9 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

onset

onsets

onslaught

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Onsets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onsets. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of onsets

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on onsets

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes