1
as in tough
difficult to endure
had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
building the scale model of the frigate was an onerous task
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onerous
In some sections, MDE is criticized for not being available enough to support districts and for having an onerous grant process.
—
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
News anchors on most every station were reporting that the onerous Berlin Wall, one of the last remaining bastions of the Cold War, was falling.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
At a time when the cost of living — particularly housing — is increasingly onerous for families across our state, State Farm’s move requires careful scrutiny and full transparency.
—Jb Pritzker, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
But units in older buildings with recent or impending inspections, onerous assessments and mounting maintenance fees might be harder to sell, barring price reductions.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
News anchors on most every station were reporting that the onerous Berlin Wall, one of the last remaining bastions of the Cold War, was falling.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
At a time when the cost of living — particularly housing — is increasingly onerous for families across our state, State Farm’s move requires careful scrutiny and full transparency.
—Jb Pritzker, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
But units in older buildings with recent or impending inspections, onerous assessments and mounting maintenance fees might be harder to sell, barring price reductions.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Taking the most challenging courses available — like AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes — signals preparedness for college-level work.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Because of this consistent advocacy, the Mayor selected me to help lead efforts to move Council forward through this challenging time.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the comparison of slave babies being taken from their mommas, and immigrant children being separated from their parents might seem a bit harsh to some, the pain is the same.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
-
After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This deep understanding of local transportation patterns would have been difficult with rapid multi-city expansion.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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But even though scientists have been able to discover thousands of planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system in recent years, including some around Proxima Centauri, which is fairly a dim star, it's been difficult to go planet-hunting around Alpha Centauri A and B, which orbit each other.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Philadelphia had 29 days, Washington had 27 days and Baltimore had 24 days where the highest dew point simmered to at least 75 degrees, which even the the weather service office in Tampa calls oppressive, according to weather service data.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 Aug. 2025
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What was mostly missing was the occasional cool front that pushes out the most oppressive heat and humidity.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Boston Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Baldwin has done it while playing the most difficult and demanding position on the diamond, mentally in terms of daily meetings and film study, and physically from the toll of working beneath pads in the summer heat and getting nicked up from foul tips, collisions and occasional wayward swings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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This has come as a result of America being too demanding and being very political.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The pans have spacious surface areas for better searing and browning, and the cooking surface isn’t particularly sticky either.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 July 2025
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About a dozen have visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, who in April caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire aimed at 'do-nothing' Democrats.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The burden isn’t light, at both ends of the spectrum, but for suppliers being audited by big brands, the process can become burdensome.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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