1
as in tough
difficult to endure
had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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 onerous
Only the Legislature in Albany can start that intentionally onerous process.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
At the same time, Stead and Willits raised concerns about the onerous process organizers must undergo to get city approval for large events, the events’ thin profit margins, and the competitiveness of nearby cities if Boise blocked a possible revenue stream.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025
Family bonds come off less as affinities of love and compassion than as another kind of contract, a set of onerous obligations.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
The change would ease the tax pinch on marijuana businesses, which are now burdened with onerous financial restrictions under federal prohibition.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
At the same time, Stead and Willits raised concerns about the onerous process organizers must undergo to get city approval for large events, the events’ thin profit margins, and the competitiveness of nearby cities if Boise blocked a possible revenue stream.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025
Family bonds come off less as affinities of love and compassion than as another kind of contract, a set of onerous obligations.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
The change would ease the tax pinch on marijuana businesses, which are now burdened with onerous financial restrictions under federal prohibition.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
The New York Fed survey of consumer expectations showed respondents believe tougher economic conditions are ahead.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Secret Service would likely have something to say about that, though the Cybertruck does have a pretty tough exterior.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Global hiring can offer a fresh solution in these challenging times.—
James Peters,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Reliability is particularly important and challenging as the impacts of climate change accelerate, with more frequent catastrophic weather events straining energy infrastructure.—
Mike Shriberg,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Each of our pieces is a symbol of resilience, proving that creativity can thrive even under the harshest circumstances.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The Patriots are paying for potential more than immediate production, so the F grade feels harsh.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination.—
Joel Shannon,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The triangle was turned right-side-up to show that gay people were standing up to oppressive forces.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
My parents came here from Syria, carrying their stories of the oppressive regime there that made life unlivable.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While lapidary work involves precise and sometimes physically demanding tasks, the CEYLONS female gem-cutting program aims to banish any and all misconceptions that such labor is unsuitable for women.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The most obvious question those holding or thinking of picking up tickets for future shows might be asking is whether Ann could still deliver some of the most demanding wailing in the rock ‘n’ roll canon at age 74, with or without the recent issues.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Last year, Love penned a searing op-ed in The Guardian about the lack of female artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
-
If Demi Moore wasn’t going to win for her career-reviving performance in the horror satire The Substance, then surely British voters would reward Marianne Jean-Baptiste for her searing depiction of depression in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Congress Acts to Eliminate Needless Delays In a rare sign of legislative progress in this area, Congress did take action over the past two weeks to reverse unnecessarily duplicative and burdensome regulations implemented during the Biden administration.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The data provides some hope for South Koreans concerned about the complete disintegration of their society due to a rapidly aging population that is growing more burdensome for each shrinking generation of youth, but South Korea is far from out of the woods.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share