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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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

Such tactics also showcase the Ukrainian military’s ongoing experimentation with using drones and robots to offset a Russian military advantage in manpower while also sparing Ukrainian soldiers from making dangerous assaults.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026
Syrskyi’s way of war – large frontal assaults that were costly, if not the only real way to reclaim land – had begun to look dated.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of assaults

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

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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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of onsets

noun

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