face an onslaught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face an onslaught" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The soldiers knew they were about to face an onslaught of enemy attacks, but they were determined to defend their territory.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Now they face an onslaught of invaders from cyberspace.

The Economist

Workers today face an onslaught of job-gobbling technologies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Beyond the government actions, JPMorgan and other Wall Street banks face an onslaught of battles with private investors.

The New York Times

Abu Qassem, a rebel commander in Idlib province, said his forces were preparing to face an onslaught.

Independent

Unless Ed Miliband distances himself from those in the union movement he will face an onslaught of negative headlines.

The Guardian

But it will still face an onslaught and to do its job it will need to appeal to a wide audience, in the language of common sense.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The company is also facing an onslaught of regulatory scrutiny.

The New York Times

Amazon should be facing an onslaught of customer free riding.

Harvard Business Review

The developments come at a difficult time for JPMorgan, which faces an onslaught of government scrutiny.

The New York Times

But he faces an onslaught from Mr Obama in states such as Iowa, Ohio and even Indiana.

The Economist

Western finance faces an onslaught of regulation and is likely to stagnate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "face an onslaught", ensure the context clearly establishes what the overwhelming force or challenge is. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Don't use "face an onslaught" to describe minor inconveniences or challenges. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic. Reserve it for genuinely overwhelming situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face an onslaught" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of confronting a significant and overwhelming challenge. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correctly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face an onslaught" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It effectively conveys the act of confronting a large and overwhelming challenge. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to emphasize the intensity and difficulty of the situation being described. The variety of related phrases, such as "confront a barrage" and "withstand a siege", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, while the writing guidance ensures the phrase is used appropriately for maximum impact. The linguistic analysis underscores its function as a verb phrase denoting the act of confronting a significant challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront a barrage

Uses "barrage" to emphasize a continuous and overwhelming attack.

withstand a siege

Implies a prolonged and intense period of being under attack or pressure.

endure a fusillade

Replaces "onslaught" with "fusillade", highlighting a rapid series of attacks.

brave a storm of

Uses the metaphor of a "storm" to represent a difficult or overwhelming situation.

meet a torrent of

Emphasizes the overwhelming and forceful nature of what is being faced.

undergo a relentless attack

Focuses on the continuous and unyielding nature of the attack.

weather a heavy assault

Uses "assault" to refer to a coordinated and forceful attack.

bear the brunt of

Highlights the experience of absorbing the main force of something negative.

resist an offensive

Focuses on actively defending against an attack or challenge.

stand against an overwhelming force

Emphasizes the imbalance of power and the difficulty of the situation.

FAQs

What does "face an onslaught" mean?

To "face an onslaught" means to confront a large, overwhelming, and often aggressive attack or challenge. It implies a difficult and intense situation requiring resilience and strength.

How can I use "face an onslaught" in a sentence?

You can use "face an onslaught" to describe situations where someone or something is confronted with a massive and often hostile force. For example: "The company had to face an onslaught of negative publicity after the scandal."

What are some alternatives to "face an onslaught"?

Alternatives to "face an onslaught" include "confront a barrage", "withstand a siege", or "endure a fusillade", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "face an onslaught" or "faced with an onslaught"?

Both "face an onslaught" and "faced with an onslaught" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure and flow you prefer.