onerous

onerous

adjective

Definition of ONEROUS

1

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

Synonyms bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying

Related Words austere, bleak, comfortless, discomforting, forbidding, inhospitable, spartan, uncomfortable; biting, inclement, intemperate, wild; rigorous, strict, stringent; agonizing, heartbreaking, heartrending, painful, wretched; crushing, grinding, overwhelming, wearing; insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable; harrowing, tortuous; bad, disagreeable, hostile, unfriendly, unpleasant

Near Antonyms comfortable, cozy, luxurious, snug; agreeable, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant; peaceful, relaxing, reposeful, restful; bearable, endurable, painless, tolerable; balmy, calm, clement, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate

Antonyms easy, light, soft

2

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

Synonyms arduous, burdensome, challenging, exacting, grueling (or gruelling), killing, laborious, onerous, persnickety, taxing, toilsome

Related Words difficult, formidable, hard, herculean, rough, rugged, stiff, strenuous, testing, tough; oppressive, trying; rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, stringent

Near Antonyms easy, effortless, facile, simple, smooth

Antonyms light, nondemanding, unchallenging, undemanding