onslaught
[on-slawt, awn-]
- an onset, assault, or attack, especially a vigorous one.
Show More
Origin of onslaught
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for onslaught
Contemporary Examples
Nearby, Loescher added, parking lots are a great place to see the onslaught.
And the onslaught of the elements has helped raise tensions to the point where a new explosion is expected any day.
Now Tehran is making mass arrests to try to stop the onslaught.
She said the weapons were meant for ISIS troops involved in the onslaught on Rojava.
More than a dozen times he rescued the U.S. from the Belgian onslaught, improbably blocking shot after shot.
Historical Examples
And the surprise of his onslaught proved an ally of unguessed potency.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
Kirkwood turned to meet her onslaught with a mien grave, determined, unflinching.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
And so forty-eight hours were left one to prepare for the onslaught.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
If so, he could easily have risked some 20,000 in the first onslaught.
Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863Adam Gurowski
General Foch not only checked the German onslaught, but drove it back.
onslaught
- a violent attack
Show More
Word Origin
C17: from Middle Dutch aenslag, from aan on + slag a blow, related to slay
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for onslaught
n.
1620s, anslaight, somehow from or on analogy of Dutch aanslag "attack," from Middle Dutch aenslach, from aen "on" (see on) + slach "blow," related to slaen "slay." Spelling influenced by obsolete (since c.1400) English slaught (n.) "slaughter," from Old English sleaht (see slaughter (n.)). No record of its use in 18c.; apparently revived by Scott.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper