# onslaught

/ˈɔnˌsɫɔt/ (US) · /ˈɒnslɔːt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/onslaught
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a very powerful or violent attack that is hard to stop. It can describe a physical fight or a large amount of something difficult to deal with, like work or questions.

For teachers: a fierce or destructive attack; a large-scale, overwhelming onset of something. Often used metaphorically to describe an intense influx of information, demands, or sensory input.

## Examples

- The team struggled to survive the onslaught of attacks.
- After the news broke, the press office faced a constant onslaught of phone calls from concerned citizens.
- The small coastal village was unprepared for the onslaught of the hurricane, which brought record-breaking winds and a devastating storm surge that reshaped the shoreline.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with the preposition 'of' to specify the nature of the attack or influx.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.