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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of onerous
Employment will decline, more retirees and fewer workers could make social security more onerous and will slow economic growth.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Many of its innovations require technology upgrades and new practices that the networks sometimes view as onerous or rickety.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
These incentives go a long way toward making relocation less onerous for older workers but there is room for improvement.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Democrats are even arguing that having to complete any type of documentation to confirm their eligibility for benefits is just too onerous for recipients, and therefore, many would choose to lose their coverage rather than complete the required paperwork.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Many of its innovations require technology upgrades and new practices that the networks sometimes view as onerous or rickety.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
These incentives go a long way toward making relocation less onerous for older workers but there is room for improvement.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Democrats are even arguing that having to complete any type of documentation to confirm their eligibility for benefits is just too onerous for recipients, and therefore, many would choose to lose their coverage rather than complete the required paperwork.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
To be sure, the last few years have been more challenging, with Gucci rapidly losing momentum — and Kering’s debt load swelling after an acquisition spree that included Creed, Maui Jim, a 30 percent stake in Valentino, and large chunks of prime real estate.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Ultimately, gig engineering is becoming an attractive but challenging path.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Its pace is slow — occasionally, but rarely, to its detriment — but this clearly deliberate tempo gives you the chance to shoulder the burdens of its oppressive atmosphere and settle into its many puzzles, which regularly trade logic for personal interpretation, and occasionally just vibes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bassini has observed the circuit of influencers and hopefuls who try a more demanding don’t-you-know-who-I-am approach, only to see them get turned away unceremoniously each time.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
By contrast, six Black women have journeyed to outer space as astronauts, a job that is equally demanding and risky and for which the odds of being selected are very low.—
Gena Cox,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After all, Miami seemingly has stamina to withstand searing heat after practicing in it all summer, while the opponent typically comes to town ill-prepared for the oppressive temperatures and humidity.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin framed the new steps as a move to end burdensome regulations.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Forest Service officials called the rule burdensome and outdated that stifled economic growth, but conservation advocates said the action is a giveaway to timber companies.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share