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
That was the sharpest drop except for that seen at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Yet, to hear Taylor tell it now, his lifelong dedication to touring reflects both his passion for performing and some bad business decisions at the onset of his career.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Specifically, a number of my clients strategically allocated a portion of their investments to gold at the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, and again during recent escalations in geopolitical tensions.
—Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The Nasdaq Composite recorded its worst week since the onset of the pandemic and entered a bear market.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,christina Wilkie,michael Wayland,april Roach,erin Doherty, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Yet, to hear Taylor tell it now, his lifelong dedication to touring reflects both his passion for performing and some bad business decisions at the onset of his career.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Specifically, a number of my clients strategically allocated a portion of their investments to gold at the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, and again during recent escalations in geopolitical tensions.
—Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The Nasdaq Composite recorded its worst week since the onset of the pandemic and entered a bear market.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,christina Wilkie,michael Wayland,april Roach,erin Doherty, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset
Noun
-
In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The company highlights one type of attack that is now targeting users and which is especially dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Type 1: The Starting Goal The first type of financial goal is the one set at the beginning of a financial journey.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
There were language gaps, especially at the beginning.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
When two of the men turn and run, Tommy’s left with one other man to defend against the onslaught as the people on the rooftops fire into the street and the non-combatants cower inside.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The onslaught has been so extensive that the United States now has its highest average tariff rate in over a century − and more seem on the way.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That was Monday, the day Blewett joined his third major-league team in a two-week span, and one day before the 6-foot-6 right-hander was thrust into the first start of his MLB career.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
But while the Albertsons crew is only just revealing themselves for the first time, discretion was only really a priority at the very start.—
Nate Rogers,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pakistan responded by aerial raids, downed an Indian military aircraft and captured an Indian pilot, who was later released.—
Time,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
-
One of the day laborers, who avoided being detained, spoke to ABC7 News about the traumatic effect of the raid.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Today’s college students are thinking about careers long before commencement rolls around.—
Christine Y. Cruzvergara,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The commencement announcement comes about two months after Texas State University announced plans to award Sheridan an honorary doctorate.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
-
For those seeking less volatility than individual stocks, consider the High-Quality portfolio, which has outperformed the S&P 500 and delivered returns of over 91% since its inception.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Since its inception, the event has grown while maintaining the welcoming feel of peeking into someone’s life and design style.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share