onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt 

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

• aggression
• assault
• attack
• attempt
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• charge
• coup de main
• descent
• offense
• offence
• offensive
• onset
• raid
• rush
• strike

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

There would still be an ongoing onslaught of private interests the same way that John Dutton experienced it. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024

But experts say people need to be prepared for an onslaught of activity and take precautions. —Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

The grim encounters were among the record-breaking number of hate crimes reported across L.A. County last year, an increase fueled by an onslaught of harassment directed at Jewish, Black and LGBTQ+ people, according to a county report released Wednesday. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

But with Trump’s onslaught of headline-grabbing antics, there never were real ways for that to winnow. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

onslaught

noun

on·​slaught ˈän-ˌslȯt 

ˈȯn-

: a violent attack