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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onsets
Noun
-
In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026 -
Earlier this week the United Nations blasted Israel over its strikes killing healthcare workers, saying the World Health Organization has recorded 151 such attacks resulting in 103 deaths and 230 injuries.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Humble beginnings Menjívar arrived undocumented in the United States at age 18, fleeing a bloody civil war in El Salvador, stowed away in a car to avoid detection at the border.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Over the last two years, the actress has reportedly picked up two neighboring properties in the area, creating what already looks like the beginnings of a private compound spread across roughly half an acre.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The girl reported the assaults to her elementary school teacher while Dixon was incarcerated on unrelated charges, according to court records.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Sawtelle said Coogler also has been punished while awaiting trial in jail for being involved in assaults on other inmates.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
And while Matz and Nick Martinez have been two of the best free-agent acquisitions of the year (the Rays are 13-2 in their starts), there are some worrisome signs.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Your glow-up starts now, so act like a boss!—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Kripke has been praised for seemingly predicting the future, with the show lining up with real life events — including the latest season arriving as ICE raids hit America, with Homelander ordering similar raids.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
Shopping malls across Southern California have also struggled to bring sales back as immigration raids continue to scare customers away.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
When will these onslaughts of cold end?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
By moving some commencements away from increasingly costly private sites, the financially ailing school district could have saved about half a million dollars a year.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Oilers won nine series in the last four years and represented the West in unsuccessful offensives against the Florida Panthers in each of the past two Junes.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
The army has retaken territory from ethnic militias, including the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which had launched powerful offensives along with pro-democracy resistance forces in northeastern Myanmar near the Chinese border and in western Myanmar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Onsets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onsets. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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