burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm How to pronounce burdensome (audio)
: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive
burdensome restrictions
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 goal for each stage is to get the key to the door, but that can be burdensome because the item disappears after 15 seconds if Mario puts it down. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 If a cheeseburger costs $3.16 at the McDonald’s nearest me, imagine how burdensome this price point is for low-income customers here and elsewhere. Shaun Harper, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 While the city should be committed to the goal of historic preservation, reviews should be efficient and not overly burdensome. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024 The groups argue the interview requirement is burdensome and prevents those who qualify for food aid from receiving it. Cora Lewis, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2024 The major predicament for contemporary Jews of all varieties, in his view, is not that the struggle for meaning and self-justification is too burdensome or intractable. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 But other rules also block green power: burdensome limits on size, height or locations. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024 Subjecting buildings that are 45-years or older to historical evaluation is unnecessarily burdensome. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024 The invite came after Sheriff Paul Penzone mentioned burdensome federal oversight in his resignation announcement. The Arizona Republic, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burdensome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of burdensome was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near burdensome

Cite this Entry

“Burdensome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burdensome. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

burdensome

adjective
bur·​den·​some ˈbərd-ᵊn-səm How to pronounce burdensome (audio)
: so heavy or hard to take as to be a burden
burdensomeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on burdensome

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