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

There is no sense, however, if an increase in public records requests equals a rise in burdensome work for staff. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025

In states such as New Jersey, South Carolina and Louisiana with overly burdensome regulatory action, such as rate regulation, companies have been forced out of the market, limiting choice and resulting in some of the highest costs in the nation. —Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

Some of those requirements could be especially burdensome for seniors, advocates said. —Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025

Taking Altadena’s new land-use plan even further, governments throughout California should eliminate burdensome zoning restrictions and allow housing to develop in accordance with market demand. —Kristian Fors, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 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