onslaught
on·slaught
ˈän-ˌslȯt 
ˈȯn-
: an especially fierce attack
the tremendous onslaught across the Rhine—
Sir Winston Churchill
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
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 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
ˈȯn-
: a violent attack
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