1
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
he perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onus
In my opinion, a big part of that is because the onus is on business owners to carry out the data work.
—
Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Baker’s versatility puts even more of an onus on Canales to get the calls communicated quickly so Young can get to the line and identify where Baker is.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
That means the onus will be on the Face the Nation moderator to call out, in real time, false claims or unproven allegations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Here, the onus falls on the United States, because politics in Israel—born of governing coalitions, demographic changes, and reactions to events such as October 7—have developed in such a way that Israel, left to its own devices, will not exercise restraint.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Baker’s versatility puts even more of an onus on Canales to get the calls communicated quickly so Young can get to the line and identify where Baker is.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
That means the onus will be on the Face the Nation moderator to call out, in real time, false claims or unproven allegations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Here, the onus falls on the United States, because politics in Israel—born of governing coalitions, demographic changes, and reactions to events such as October 7—have developed in such a way that Israel, left to its own devices, will not exercise restraint.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Gently rub it onto the stain with a soft cloth, always moving in the direction of the grain, before rinsing and drying thoroughly.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And the stain-resistant fabric is all about durability in the long haul.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Following the tragic death of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the line between eulogy and blame wore swiftly and predictably thin.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Some of the blame for how far things have gotten rests on us.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This longer dosing time also addresses common challenges many have faced with daily medicines, including adherence, stigma and fear of accidentally disclosing status through pill bottles.—
Pearl Pugh,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And the universal meal system does reduce stigma and hunger, according to a $7 million study the state commissioned from the Nutrition Policy Institute.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such comparisons are too easily drawn, with too much self-righteousness, as though the guilt for what was done to the Jews could be lightened just a little by likening them to their own murderers.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Not the president making those decisions, who has neither the education nor the experience to judge whether there are facts sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt under a statute in this country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.—
Maurice H. Decker,
Outdoor Life,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The taint of it all has melted away.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Alaves is the only blot on their copybook.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pretreat any stains with a stain remover of choice and blot with a dry white cloth to remove as much stain prior to washing.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There is no shame in a nonlinear path, no imperfection in a winding career.—
Barbara Wittmann,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Sometimes, when patients and doctors shame insurers online, denials get overturned.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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