Synonyms of onset

onset

noun

ˈȯn-ˌset 

1

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

• attack
• assault
• onslaught
• raid
• offensive
• aggression
• offense
• strike
• attempt
• bombardment
• rush
• blitzkrieg
• invasion
• blitz
• incursion
• descent
• coup de main
• charge
• counterattack
• barrage
• ambush
• bombing
• siege
• breakthrough
• counteroffensive
• envelopment
• ambuscade
• foray
• sortie
• storm
• air raid
• counteraggression
• volley
• sally
• sack
• pillage
• counterassault
• salvo
• counterstrike
• hail
• flanking
• fusillade
• ravage
• cannonade
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• resistance
• opposition
• guard
• protection
• security
• shield
• defensive
• shelter

2

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

• beginning
• start
• inception
• commencement
• alpha
• launch
• dawn
• genesis
• outset
• baseline
• birth
• threshold
• infancy
• morning
• initiation
• incipience
• kickoff
• incipiency
• nascence
• day one
• inauguration
• origination
• nascency
• origin
• get-go
• arrival
• founding
• emergence
• first base
• spring
• dawning
• creation
• advent
• opening
• childhood
• drawing board
• ground zero
• germ
• institution
• debut
• source
• well
• appearance
• cradle
• square one
• fountain
• root
• youth
• seedbed
• fountainhead
• wellspring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• conclusion
• ending
• period
• close
• completion
• cessation
• termination
• closing
• closure
• finish
• stop
• omega
• finale
• windup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of onset

The rapid spread of Ebola has been aided from the onset by widespread skepticism among locals who have dismissed the disease as a hoax, even attacking health workers and health facilities on multiple occasions. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Similarly, in 2021/22, there was a swing from concern about a collapse in retail demand with the onset of the pandemic to a scramble to secure inventory after the release of record amount of global stimulus flipped the consumer outlook. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Mayfield served as an advisor at the onset of her campaign and helped bring on some of the people who currently serve on her campaign. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

The onset of rot is creeping closer and the meat may even begin to stink. — Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026