onslaught
on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
ˈȯn-
: an especially fierce attack
the tremendous onslaught across the Rhine—Sir Winston Churchill
also : something resembling such an attack
an onslaught of technological changes
Employers are expecting an onslaught of recent college graduates.

Synonyms

Examples of onslaught in a Sentence

an onslaught by the enemy the massive onslaught of enemy troops caught the country by surprise
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But in this year’s hyperpolarized backdrop fueled by record advertising spending and media onslaughts from the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigns alike, U.S. retirement savers are left in a cloud of unease and uncertainty. —Brian Menickella, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The onslaught by the Israel Defense Forces shows no sign of slowing, even months after the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) warning of plausible risk of genocide made headline news. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 The foundation’s purpose was to defend the gun industry from the legal onslaught and transform its public image, according to NSSF records. —Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 24 Oct. 2024 Three minor penalties later, the Sharks were down by three goals and failed to slow down the onslaught in an 8-3 loss to the Jets, dredging up some bad memories in what was easily San Jose’s most lopsided loss of the season. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for onslaught 

Word History

Etymology

modification of Dutch aanslag act of striking; akin to Old English an on and to Old English slēan to strike — more at slay

First Known Use

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onslaught was circa 1625

Dictionary Entries Near onslaught

onslaught

Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

onslaught

noun
on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt How to pronounce onslaught (audio)
ˈȯn-
: a violent attack

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