ONSET Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

onset

noun

ˈȯn-ˌset

Definition of onset

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

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 Melvin Smith, a player who wasn’t on many radars at the onset of camp, is receiving first-team snaps, as much by necessity. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 Spring is an ideal time to plant Senecio, giving it a long growing season to establish before the onset of colder weather. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 But the new findings suggest there are still opportunities in midlife to prevent or delay its onset, says Coresh. — Kathleen Felton, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 Rates had dipped below 6% in late February, but the onset of the Iran War and the accompanying specter of inflation pushed them higher. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onset

Noun

Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
While mass shootings are still rare in Thailand, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile attacks in recent years.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Unlike 12 years ago, predation isn’t centred on a minority; 11 different Premier League clubs have lost players to the ‘Big Six’ since the beginning of last summer.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
At the beginning of the year, some volunteers within Coppell ISD went door-to-door to recruit and keep students in public education.

— Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginning

Noun

The Valkyries took off in the second quarter after another slow start, ending the first half on an 11-0 run on the way to a 44-28 lead at the break.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Nolan McLean recovered from a shaky start to last six effective innings as the last-place Mets (57-69) won for the 10th time in 13 games since selling big at the trade deadline.

— CBS New York Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Noun

Since their inception, these wines have tasted as if something were missing beyond just alcohol—aroma, flavor, body, and balance were absent as well.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
But Thrive has ultimately put in more than $2 billion into the ChatGPT maker since its inception.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of inception

Noun

De Lutiis scored himself in the 58th, backing up in support at the perfect time after an Australian attacking raid that started with flyhalf Carter Gordon breaking the defensive line and running 30 meters toward the right corner flag.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require large retailers to preserve documentation of immigration enforcement activity on their premises, following ICE raids at Home Depot parking lots in Southern California last summer.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

In May, college graduates entering a workforce where the technology is the primary reason for job cuts met commencement speakers hailing the AI revolution—including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona—with boos.

— Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
College students booed mentions of AI during commencement ceremonies this spring.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of commencement

Browse Nearby Words

onrushes

onset

onsets

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onset. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of onset

noun

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