onslaught

[ on-slawt, awn- ]

/ ˈɒnˌslɔt, ˈɔn- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR onslaught ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an onset, assault, or attack, especially a vigorous one.

Nearby words

onset, onshore, onshoring, onside, onside kick, onslaught, onslow, onslow, george, onstage, ont-, ont.

Origin of onslaught

1615–25; < Dutch aanslag a striking, (earlier) attack (equivalent to aan on + slag blow, stroke; akin to slay), with assimilation to obsolete slaught slaughter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for onslaught

Nearby, Loescher added, parking lots are a great place to see the onslaught.
The Fiery Underground Oil Pit Eating L.A.|Geoff Manaugh|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the onslaught of the elements has helped raise tensions to the point where a new explosion is expected any day.
Ukraine Could Explode in the Next 48 Hours|Anna Nemtsova|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now Tehran is making mass arrests to try to stop the onslaught.
Iran Says It’s Under Attack by ISIS|Jassem Al Salami|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She said the weapons were meant for ISIS troops involved in the onslaught on Rojava.
The Turks to ISIS: ‘Let’s Make a Deal’|Thomas Seibert|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

More than a dozen times he rescued the U.S. from the Belgian onslaught, improbably blocking shot after shot.
Team USA Lost, but Tim Howard Is a Winner|Emily Shire|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before this onslaught, the Spaniards retreated, but in good order.
Cuba|Arthur D. Hall
These giants were not, however, the most forward in the onslaught.
Australia Twice Traversed, The Romance of Exploration|Ernest Giles
The huge concert piano resounded under the onslaught of her broad hands.
Tales of the Five Towns|Arnold Bennett
It was glorious to see these lads of fifteen and sixteen daily withstanding the onslaught of the mighty naval guns.
With Steyn and De Wet|Philip Pienaar
Marius sent his officers among the troops with orders to stand still and await the onslaught.
A Spring Walk in Provence|Archibald Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for onslaught

onslaught

/ (ˈɒnˌslɔːt) /

noun

a violent attack

Word Origin for onslaught

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

onslaught

noun

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Origin of onslaught

Examples from the Web for onslaught

British Dictionary definitions for onslaught

onslaught

noun

Word Origin for onslaught