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Definition of onslaught

onslaught

/ˈɑːn.slɔːt/
on · slaught
Plural:onslaughts
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onslaught Lexical Profile

onslaught Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A fierce, sudden, or destructive attack.

Example

"The coastal seawall was reinforced to withstand the relentless onslaught of winter storms."

2

An overwhelming outpouring or sudden influx of something that is difficult to cope with.

Example

"Customer service representatives prepared for an onslaught of phone calls following the software update."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

onshore
onside
onsite
onslaught
onstage
ontake
onto

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century from Dutch aanslag ('a striking at, attack, or attempt'), from aan ('on') and slag ('blow'), and reshaped in English by association with the noun slaughter.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Onslaught. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/onslaught
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