Synonyms of burdensome

burdensome

adjective

ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

1

as in oppressive

difficult to endure

the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oppressive
• harsh
• tough
• searing
• hard
• severe
• brutal
• rough
• onerous
• cruel
• heavy
• trying
• painful
• grim
• grievous
• excruciating
• inhuman
• bitter
• murderous
• rugged
• bleak
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• unbearable
• strict
• unpleasant
• rigorous
• stringent
• forbidding
• hardhanded
• overwhelming
• inhospitable
• austere
• discomforting
• spartan
• bad
• agonizing
• crushing
• comfortless
• intolerable
• intemperate
• inclement
• insupportable
• biting
• tortuous
• hostile
• insufferable
• unendurable
• disagreeable
• wretched
• wild
• heartbreaking
• grinding
• unfriendly
• heartrending
• harrowing
• wearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• light
• soft
• comfortable
• pleasant
• luxurious
• agreeable
• friendly
• cozy
• hospitable
• peaceful
• genial
• tolerable
• restful
• relaxing
• bearable
• painless
• moderate
• mild
• gentle
• snug
• calm
• temperate
• endurable
• balmy
• reposeful
• clement

2

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

the burdensome task of finishing the tax return

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• demanding
• onerous
• arduous
• laborious
• tough
• hard
• exacting
• taxing
• grueling
• toilsome
• killing
• formidable
• strenuous
• oppressive
• persnickety
• testing
• rigorous
• stringent
• stiff
• strict
• severe
• herculean
• rigid
• rugged
• rough
• trying
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• simple
• unchallenging
• smooth
• nondemanding
• effortless
• facile

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective burdensome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of burdensome are exacting, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would exacting be a reasonable alternative to burdensome?

The words exacting and burdensome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When can onerous be used instead of burdensome?

The words onerous and burdensome can be used in similar contexts, but onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace burdensome?

While the synonyms oppressive and burdensome are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of burdensome

While Felix positioned itself as an alternative to the blue-chip fair circuit, Valentine said the traditional fair model has become too burdensome for both galleries and collectors. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026

The amount of paperwork and disclosures related to underlying leverage in futures and options markets is much more burdensome for investors than trading an ETF. — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 10 July 2026

These stem from overly burdensome regulations that restrict the supply of homes and inflate the cost of building the homes that are available. — Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Florida’s housing affordability crisis is driven by crippling inflation from Washington and burdensome bureaucratic red tape. — Scott Singer, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026