BURDENSOME Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of burdensome are exacting , onerous , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

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

The words exacting and burdensome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When can 'onerous' be used instead of 'burdensome'?

The words onerous and burdensome can be used in similar contexts, but onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: When could 'oppressive' be used to replace 'burdensome'?

While the synonyms oppressive and burdensome are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

burdensome

adjective

ˈbər-dᵊn-səm

Definition of burdensome next

as in oppressive

difficult to endure the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the burdensome task of finishing the tax return

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective burdensome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of burdensome are exacting, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would exacting be a reasonable alternative to burdensome?

The words exacting and burdensome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When can onerous be used instead of burdensome?

The words onerous and burdensome can be used in similar contexts, but onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace burdensome?

While the synonyms oppressive and burdensome are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of burdensome Why not live offshore, bobbing in a libertarian commune free from burdensome social obligations, such as taxes? —

Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 If San Jose were to implement a mandatory cost recovery program, the city would also need to operate an impound lot that would impose several burdensome regulations. —

Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025 If keeping a shrub small enough requires a burdensome amount of pruning, consider removing it and replacing it with a species or variety that is naturally compact enough for the space. —

Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025 Late Thursday, the SEC rescinded SAB 121, potentially opening the door for banks to custody crypto assets without such burdensome capital requirements. —

Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for burdensome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burdensome

Adjective

But the show pulls back just enough on the oppressive horror vibes of Season Two without losing a perpetual sense of unease from those scenes.

— Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
Currently, asylum seekers who committed crimes seen as political in nature—i.e. toward an oppressive regime—could be granted asylum, as could those guilty of misdemeanors.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025