onslaught

noun

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

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cruise companies are then not the bad guys delivering an onslaught of daytrippers into Europe's rammed summer cobbled streets by keeping everyone onboard longer with many activities. Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 The Warriors went scoreless for four minutes as a tight game became an 18-point onslaught. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024 Law enforcement quickly turned their suspicions toward her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, naming them primary suspects and prompting an onslaught of media attention. Gigi Sukin, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024 But Gaetz is just one headache for the Trump transition team: Pete Hegseth—a former Fox News commentator, Army National Guard veteran, and Trump's pick for secretary of defense—has faced his own onslaught of allegations that has increased opposition to his confirmation. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 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

Cite this Entry

“Onslaught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onslaught. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

onslaught

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

More from Merriam-Webster on onslaught

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