onslaught of criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

"onslaught of criticism" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a great amount or intensity of criticism directed towards someone or something. Example: The new policy received an onslaught of criticism from both employees and customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Understandably, the disagreement produced an onslaught of criticism from the public, with Native American actors and media critics weighing in to what seemed like Sandler's long-awaited and much needed comedic tribunal.

Vice

In fact, disunity in the coalition is significantly damaging Israel's public relations in two important arenas: in New York, where outreach and communications with the American Jewish community is critical, and at the United Nations, where Israel faces an onslaught of criticism and delegitimization on a daily basis.

Huffington Post

Amid an onslaught of criticism, CUNY reversed the decision.

The New York Times

Hawkins was asked if the victory could erase the onslaught of criticism tossed at him.

The New York Times - Sports

Just like that, as if the onslaught of criticism needed fanning, Manning's detractors had more fodder.

The New York Times - Sports

Company executives say A.P.P. has been trying to burnish its environmental credentials against an onslaught of criticism from environmental activists.

The New York Times

But Republican women took to the House floor to support the House bill against the onslaught of criticism.

The New York Times

As it is, she is facing an onslaught of criticism in her home state for her "no" vote.

The New York Times

The statement triggered an unexpected onslaught of criticism and denunciation about the state of academics and intercollegiate athletics.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sandusky, who said his wife and mother-in-law were avid knitters — his mother-in-law just knitted sweaters for his twins' birthday, for gosh sakes, he said — responded to the first onslaught of criticisms with a letter posted on the U.S.O.C.'s Web site.

The New York Times

A federal health official said potential donors had become "gun-shy" because of the onslaught of Republican criticism of the administration's fund-raising practices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using related phrases like "barrage of criticism" or "deluge of criticism" to add variety to your writing and to precisely match the situation you are depicting.

Common error

Avoid using "onslaught of criticism" when the criticism is mild or limited. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the intensity and volume of criticism are truly overwhelming. Using it in less severe contexts can exaggerate the situation and diminish the phrase's impact when it's truly needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onslaught of criticism" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a substantial and forceful expression of disapproval or negative feedback. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onslaught of criticism" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a large and intense wave of negative feedback. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize the severity of critical reactions. While alternatives like "barrage of criticism" or "deluge of criticism" exist, "onslaught of criticism" effectively conveys the feeling of being overwhelmed by disapproval. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the criticism is truly significant to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barrage of criticism

Replaces "onslaught" with "barrage", suggesting a continuous and overwhelming delivery of criticism.

deluge of criticism

Substitutes "onslaught" with "deluge", implying a massive influx or flood of critical remarks.

storm of criticism

Uses "storm" instead of "onslaught" to convey the intensity and turbulence of the critical response.

avalanche of criticism

Replaces "onslaught" with "avalanche", highlighting the sudden and overwhelming nature of the criticism.

torrent of criticism

Uses "torrent" to replace "onslaught", suggesting a heavy and continuous stream of critical feedback.

flurry of criticism

Changes "onslaught" to "flurry", implying a rapid and intense burst of critical comments.

wave of criticism

Replaces "onslaught" with "wave", conveying the idea of criticism coming in successive surges.

outpouring of criticism

Substitutes "onslaught" with "outpouring", suggesting a spontaneous and abundant expression of critical views.

hailstorm of criticism

Replaces "onslaught" with "hailstorm", emphasizing the painful and damaging impact of the criticism.

fusillade of criticism

Uses "fusillade" to replace "onslaught", conveying the idea of a rapid and continuous discharge of critical remarks.

FAQs

How can I use "onslaught of criticism" in a sentence?

You can use "onslaught of criticism" to describe a situation where someone or something is facing a large amount of intense criticism. For example, "The company faced an onslaught of criticism after the product launch."

What are some alternatives to "onslaught of criticism"?

Some alternatives include "barrage of criticism", "deluge of criticism", or "storm of criticism". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "onslaught of criticism" formal or informal?

"Onslaught of criticism" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations to describe intense criticism.

What does "onslaught of criticism" imply?

The phrase "onslaught of criticism" implies that the criticism is not only abundant but also aggressive and potentially overwhelming. It suggests a strong and often sustained attack of negative feedback.