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

Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has done everything possible to vilify and attack our state’s energy industry through litigation and by mandating dozens of burdensome regulations on energy producers. —Will Oneill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025

The buildings being vacated were apparently already 40% unoccupied, and a burdensome cost on center resources. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Large-scale developments also have become increasingly challenging to build due to burdensome regulations and high construction and labor costs. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

LSIs can become burdensome debts for parks, potentially forcing them to accept lower franchise fees to attract new contracts. —Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 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