burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive

burdensome restrictions

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• murderous
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

Choose the Right Synonym for burdensome

onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing hardship.

onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

Examples of burdensome in a Sentence

The responsibility has become burdensome.

the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Recent Examples on the Web

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing most major automakers except Tesla, has also criticized the requirement as burdensome. —Jarrett Renshaw, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

General manager Trent Baalke is faced with making burdensome decisions on how to approach 2025, and cutting the cord on Engram's contract would be the first step in alleviating cap pressure and rebuilding a franchise that hasn't finished above .500 since 2007. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Critics argue that these new requirements, while not overly burdensome, erode the sense of openness that previously defined international travel. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Advocates say that Tennessee's voting rights restoration process is unduly burdensome. —Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbərd-ᵊn-səm 

: so heavy or hard to take as to be a burden

burdensomeness noun