Onset (Noun)

Meaning ¹

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons); "the attack began at dawn".

Classification

Nouns denoting acts or actions.

Examples

• The onset of the enemy's attack caught the soldiers off guard, forcing them to scramble for cover.
• As the sun rose over the horizon, the onset of the artillery barrage signaled the start of the battle.
• The general carefully planned the onset of the assault, coordinating the movements of his troops with precision.
• The onset of the enemy's counterattack pushed the frontline troops back several miles.
• The sudden onset of the air raid caught the city's defenses off guard, causing widespread destruction.

Synonyms

• Onslaught
• Attack
• Onrush

Hypernyms

• Military Operation
• Operation

Hyponyms

• Countermove
• Fire
• Surprise Attack
• Firing
• Ground Attack
• Bombardment
• Diversionary Attack
• Blitz
• Strafe
• Diversion
• Bombing
• Counterattack
• Banzai Attack
• Coup De Main
• Blitzkrieg
• Charge
• Strike
• Banzai Charge
• Penetration
• Incursion

Meaning ²

The beginning or early stages; "the onset of pneumonia".

Classification

Nouns denoting natural events.

Examples

• The symptoms appeared within hours of the onset of the virus.
• She struggled to manage the pain at the onset of her migraines.
• Early diagnosis at the onset of cancer can greatly improve survival rates.
• His grandmother experienced the onset of dementia when she was 80 years old.
• A high fever was often a warning sign at the onset of this rare disease.

Synonyms

• Oncoming