burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive

burdensome restrictions

Synonyms

• oppressive
• harsh
• tough
• searing
• hard
• severe
• brutal
• rough
• onerous
• cruel

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

That's because lower interest rates make borrowing costs less burdensome, and smaller companies tend to have more debt and rely on bank funding than their larger, cash-rich counterparts. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025

The Broncos quickly pivoted off Russell Wilson, eating his burdensome salary in 2024, and pushed the franchise forward as if pressing the fast forward button on a VCR. —Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025

Under prior law, these costs were recovered over a depreciation schedule of up to 39 years, a complex and burdensome process that penalized long-term domestic investment. —Richard Stern, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin framed the new steps as a move to end burdensome regulations. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

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