noun
onslaught
ON-slawt
noun
1
A fierce, forceful attack.
"The village braced for the onslaught of the invading army."
2
An overwhelming rush or flood of something, compared to an attack.
"The shop was unprepared for the onslaught of holiday shoppers."
How to Use Onslaught
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, forceful attack or overwhelming flood of something.
Common pairings
onslaught of criticism
relentless onslaught
face an onslaught
Word Forms
onslaughts plural
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The village braced for the _____ of the invading army.
Etymology
From on- + an older word "slaught" related to Dutch aenslag/slag ("a blow, a strike"), linked to the same root as the English weaving term "sley."