onslaught

noun

ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
Definition of onslaughtnext
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the massive onslaught of enemy troops caught the country by surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 onslaught After surviving the initial onslaught, the consumer might choose a higher level. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has been largely helpless in similar Russian onslaughts in recent weeks. — Tom Bowman, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 Phil Collins has survived an onslaught of health issues, and lived to share the painful memories of his lowest points. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The onslaught continued as Iyo Sky hit double knees to Liv Morgan in the corner. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onslaught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onslaught
  1. attack
  2. assault
  3. offensive
  4. raid
  5. offense
  6. aggression
  7. strike
Noun
  • Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of drones targeting military industries and energy facilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE earlier this year, the vast majority of which were intercepted, sparked tensions among locals and hammered the country's tourism and aviation industry.
    — Jenni Reid,Emma Graham, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Records show he was paroled in March 2021 after doing nearly three years for assault.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Officers tracked down the other person and arrested them on suspicion of crimes including assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Analysts say the Houthis appear to be mobilizing for an offensive that would aim to take more of the Red Sea coastline.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The former Missouri offensive lineman has spent time at both tackle spots during training camp and started at right tackle on Saturday.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of offensive
Noun
  • De Lutiis scored himself in the 58th, backing up in support at the perfect time after an Australian attacking raid that started with flyhalf Carter Gordon breaking the defensive line and running 30 meters toward the right corner flag.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require large retailers to preserve documentation of immigration enforcement activity on their premises, following ICE raids at Home Depot parking lots in Southern California last summer.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of raid
Noun
  • Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Their offense has one of the NFL’s best defenses to sharpen itself against in practice.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of offense
Noun
  • The United States must therefore carefully balance the need to de-risk against the need to deter aggression.
    — GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Game fowl are bred for aggression by definition, said Jenny Berg, California state director of the Humane World for Animals, which worked with Rogers on the bill.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • He also, unfortunately, ceded possession to PSG’s counter-press, contributing to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s thunderous strike taking the lead.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rengifo came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning after Tatis challenged a strike call that was overturned for a walk.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of strike

Browse Nearby Words

onsets
onslaught
onslaughts
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Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onslaught. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on onslaught

Nglish: Translation of onslaught for Spanish Speakers

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