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

And for many Americans, an extra 25 cents for gasoline is really burdensome. —Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

Support for the plan generally came from industry and regulatory reform groups who said the vehicle standards that rest on the endangerment finding are costly and unduly burdensome. —Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

Simple tasks like cooking or taking a shower are burdensome. —Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026

In February, the National Science Foundation began requesting detailed records regarding NCAR’s budgeting, staff expenses, and grants that the lawsuit characterized as needlessly burdensome. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 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