Onslaught Meaning and Definition
Onslaught
Pronunciation
/ənˈsɔːlʃ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A strong and violent attack or assault; a deliberate and relentless effort to overpower or overwhelm.
Examples
- The company launched an onslaught of marketing campaigns to promote their new product.
- The army delivered an onslaught of artillery fire to break through the enemy’s defenses.
Synonyms
- Assault
- Attack
- Irony
Antonyms
- Retreat
- Recede
Etymology
The word ‘Onslaught’ has its roots in Old French ‘assaut’, meaning ‘an attack or assault’, which is derived from the Latin ‘assueto’, meaning ‘to make an assault on’.
Usage Notes
Onslaught is often used to describe a deliberate and intense attack or effort, but it can also be used more broadly to describe any sudden and overwhelming force or influence.
Cultural References
Onslaught has been used in various contexts in popular culture, including in literature, film, and gaming.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- No holds barred
- Fight fire with fire
Related Words or Phrases
- Rush
- Surge
- Pursuit
Collocations
- Bombardment
- Overwhelm
- Assault
Frequency of Use
In modern language, onslaught is often used in formal and informal contexts to describe a strong and intense attack or effort.
Common Misspellings
- Onsault
- Onslught