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

The idea was that patients in those practices would have a chance to set limits to their end-of-life care, and thereby avoid burdensome treatments. —Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

This overreach and weaponization of the government manifested especially clearly in burdensome regulations and guidance; in extensive and onerous supervisions; in investigations and cases, frequently leading to crushing penalties and injunctive terms unrelated to actual harm. —Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026

This insight is liberating, not burdensome. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

What’s become inefficient, outdated, or overly burdensome? —Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Jan. 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