ONSLAUGHT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

onslaught

noun

ˈän-ˌslȯt

Definition of onslaught

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

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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 onslaught The onslaught stems in part from Ossoff’s status as a potential presidential candidate. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Research shows those precautions help houses resist the onslaught of tiny, burning embers carried by the wind, the main reason wildfires spread so rapidly in extreme conditions. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 As the onslaught crested, JD waved and smiled; Usha stayed seated beside him, her focus calm and straight ahead. — Kate Andersen Brower, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 Given the onslaught of pain vying for screen time, this punch didn't make the final theatrical cut. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onslaught

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onslaught

Noun

The country's armed forces said that it was targeted by a missile attack that originated from Iranian territory.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has sued several states that have tried to treat prediction market sites as a form of gambling, a type of legal offensive the agency has never before embarked on.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
More than four decades ago, after months of setbacks in the war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, thousands of young Iranian troops launched a surprise offensive that turned the tide.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Last month, burglars stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry from the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique in a daring early morning raid.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
According to witnesses of the raid, local police and Canyon County sheriff’s deputies assisted ICE agents by zip-tying children and detaining people without asking about their immigration status.

— Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Xavier Pratt scored the touchdown that finally jump-started Homewood-Flossmoor’s offense after a slow start.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The ruling suggests that the criminal offense would apply when materials are simply available on a library shelf.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of offense

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onsets

onslaught

onslaughts

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“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onslaught. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of onslaught

noun

Example Sentences

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