ONEROUS Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'onerous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of onerous are burdensome , exacting , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: In what contexts can 'burdensome' take the place of 'onerous'?

The synonyms burdensome and onerous are sometimes interchangeable, but burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: Where would 'exacting' be a reasonable alternative to 'onerous'?

While the synonyms exacting and onerous are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When might 'oppressive' be a better fit than 'onerous'?

In some situations, the words oppressive and onerous are roughly equivalent. However, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

onerous

adjective

ˈä-nə-rəs

Definition of onerous next

as in tough

difficult to endure had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention building the scale model of the frigate was an onerous task

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective onerous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of onerous are burdensome, exacting, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

In what contexts can burdensome take the place of onerous?

The synonyms burdensome and onerous are sometimes interchangeable, but burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would exacting be a reasonable alternative to onerous?

While the synonyms exacting and onerous are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When might oppressive be a better fit than onerous?

In some situations, the words oppressive and onerous are roughly equivalent. However, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of onerous The United States should not impose onerous restrictions on the development of artificial intelligence, for example. —

Tyler Cowen, The Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2024 Contrast this to the process of opening a bank account, which requires various levels of onerous KYC regulations. —

Korok Ray, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 According to Lindell, MCAs commonly target struggling businesses, saddling them with onerous terms and placing them in precarious financial positions. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Thousands of Russian professionals have since decamped in Armenia to both avoid the military draft as well as onerous Western sanctions, boosting a local economy that grew 8.7% last year. —

Charlie Campbell / Yerevan, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for onerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous

Adjective

The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.

Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024