burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive

burdensome restrictions

Synonyms of burdensome

• 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

Financial institutions have argued that implementation would be burdensome and costly, affecting not only their industry but potentially also small businesses and consumers. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

For instance, companies like Cohere Health and ZeOmega are using AI to streamline burdensome processes such as prior authorizations while Aradigm is building novel financing structures for breakthrough cell and gene therapies, where single treatments can exceed $3 million. —Bill Oldham, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

As chair of the Assembly’s Communications and Conveyance Committee, Boerner said the caseload the CPUC’s five commissioners have to handle is too burdensome and expanding the roster to nine will improve things. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

The White House has strongly opposed provisions similar to those in SB 315, arguing that such regulation could hamstring America’s AI industry and require companies to comply with a burdensome jumble of state regulations. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 May 2026

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