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

Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital's gas stations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital’s gas stations.

— Liudas Dapkus, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Great things grow from humble beginnings, which is how Goldburger went from a pop-up in 2018 to an LA staple with multiple locations in just a few years.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
In non-linear lyric forms, the following collections braid love’s ruthless endings with its tenderest beginnings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Independent Russian media regularly report about returning veterans involved in assaults, drunken brawls and even killings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Research published in Nurse Leader shows assaults on nursing personnel rose from just over 14,000 in 2019 to nearly 24,000 in 2023.

— Jason Fass, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Building these connections has to begin long before a fire starts, continue while the fire burns and endure long after the fire has ended.

— Matt Thompson, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Some leading clubs in Europe had been linked with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who has scored seven goals for the League of Ireland side this season, in 17 starts and 11 sub appearances.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of starts

Noun

Last year, immigration raids and tariffs hung over the celebration causing the event and mas bands to make adjustments.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty said on Tuesday he was concerned by the arrests, raids and online restrictions targeting LGBTQ+ civil society and human rights defenders.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of onsets

noun

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