noun
Uncommon
onslaught
ON-slawt
Onslaught (noun) means a fierce, forceful attack. Example: “The village braced for the onslaught of the invading army.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- onslaughts
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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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for onslaught
See all rhymes for onslaught →Frequently asked questions
What does “onslaught” mean?
The word “onslaught” means a fierce, forceful attack. In plain terms, a sudden, forceful attack or overwhelming flood of something.
How do you pronounce “onslaught”?
“Onslaught” is pronounced ON-slawt (/ˈɒn.slɔːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “onslaught” in a sentence?
Here is “onslaught” used in a sentence: “The village braced for the onslaught of the invading army.”
What part of speech is “onslaught”?
“Onslaught” is a noun.
Where does the word “onslaught” come from?
The word “onslaught” comes from Dutch. 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.".
Is “onslaught” a common word?
“Onslaught” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “onslaught” have?
“Onslaught” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fierce, forceful attack.
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