onset

noun

ˈȯn-ˌset How to pronounce onset (audio)
Definition of onsetnext
1
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beginning
the point at which something begins the claim that if you take enough vitamin C at the onset of a cold, you'll often recover faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of onset Technological Interventions Innovations in sleep technology, such as devices providing personalized real-time acoustic stimulation, have shown promise in promoting faster sleep onset. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Mar. 2025 They are required to stay home from school for four days after the rash onsets or until a medical provider has ruled out a measles diagnosis. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025 Exercise increases core temperature, leading to a more rapid decline in temperature post-exercise, hastening sleep onset and deepening sleep. — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Cowart’s mother, Faye Cowart, has early onset Alzheimer’s and struggles with being in a new place. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
  1. attack
  2. beginning
  3. onslaught
  4. start
  5. raid
  6. commencement
  7. assault
  8. inception
Noun
  • The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships are allegedly in protest of Elon Musk‘s efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government through pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • San Sebastián, however, has taken a different and more inclusive approach from the very beginning.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That study ran from the end of 2012 to the beginning of 2019.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • And the recent onslaught of free-agent additions could just be the start of building up a unit that struggled mightily last season.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Southwest is already preparing its employees for an onslaught of customer luggage at the gate.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of onslaught
Noun
  • Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, and Darcy Kuemper — fresh off shutouts in his last two starts — had 19 saves and had his shutout streak end at 176:06.
    — Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • About Riley Green Riley Green got his start playing in bars and restaurants around his hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama—and lately he’s been performing in stadiums for tens of thousands.
    — Sid Evans, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of start
Noun
  • Drone surge The January double-tap attack was part of a wider wave of drone raids, reportedly the biggest of the 37-month wider war for the Ukrainians.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than each episode being filled with heart-pounding action, the series establishes itself with a frantic, stressful raid on Jamie’s house and his subsequent arrest, then dissolves into a crime show that’s much more meticulous and robust beyond the thrills at the top.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of raid
Noun
  • Following the commencement of the band’s U.K. and Ireland tour, Fontaines D.C.’s fourth LP Romance rises 15 places to finish the week at No. 13; the record originally went to No. 2 in August, and was beaten to the top spot during Carpenter’s reign at the top of the charts.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024
  • In 1979, Radner gave the commencement speech—fully in character as Roseanne Roseannadanna—to the graduating class at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, part of which wound up on her comedy album Gilda Radner: Live From New York, released that same year.
    — Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of commencement
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    — Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    — Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023
Definition of assault
Noun
  • This program has provided life-saving HIV/AIDS care to low-income countries since 2003, and has saved more than 26 million lives since its inception.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Over the past nearly 20 years since its inception, BlizzCon has inspired us to innovate, push the boundaries of creativity, and deliver once-in-a-lifetime moments.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of inception

Browse Nearby Words

onset
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on onset

Nglish: Translation of onset for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All