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
Relevance
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onerous
The new bundle should help the two mid-tier services pool catalogues and blunt churn while minimizing the onerous cost of trying to compete on spending with the global giants.
—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
The least expensive but most onerous way to get there is to take a combination of trains and buses.
—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Gary Raines, chief economist at FDRA, told FN that May’s sharp advance suggests other factors, namely onerous tariffs, as the reason behind the recent surge as these tariffs work their way across the supply chain.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Biomedical companies are working on advances that would make the process easier and less onerous for women.
—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
The least expensive but most onerous way to get there is to take a combination of trains and buses.
—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Gary Raines, chief economist at FDRA, told FN that May’s sharp advance suggests other factors, namely onerous tariffs, as the reason behind the recent surge as these tariffs work their way across the supply chain.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Biomedical companies are working on advances that would make the process easier and less onerous for women.
—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.
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Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said that fighting the fire had been extremely challenging.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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Aviation experts said those conditions would have been difficult to navigate that evening when the helicopter, a Robinson R66, crashed in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
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But traffic on the waterway remains a fraction of pre-war levels with different authorities vying to organize the transit of vessels, leaving operators with a difficult choice over which path to take.
Adjective
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Dealing with extreme heat in India, where oppressive temperatures have become a matter of routine in recent years, revealed another disconnect.
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The Shah was so corrupt and oppressive that the 1979 revolution was almost inevitable.
Adjective
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In a demanding, real-world performance setting — a capstone exercise, a live performance, a high-stakes simulation — the goal is not to eliminate all mistakes, but to stay in control and navigate the zone of being uncomfortable.
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New York crowds are passionate, honest, and demanding.
Adjective
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That has given players an opportunity to rest and recover ahead of the next fixture, but some of those games have taken place in searing heat, which will have had its effect on players, especially if they are not used to playing in that climate.
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But the street parties also come after months of scrutiny as FIFA has faced searing criticism across the globe for soaring World Cup ticket prices.
Adjective
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The groups alleged that students would be forced to forgo their education or accept burdensome private loans.
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Teams were eager for a change, finding the travel burdensome and the schedule too hectic to focus on roster preparations, with the league’s awards ceremony, the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the start of free agency unfolding in a few weeks’ time.
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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