ONEROUS Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'onerous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of onerous are burdensome , exacting , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: In what contexts can 'burdensome' take the place of 'onerous'?

The synonyms burdensome and onerous are sometimes interchangeable, but burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: Where would 'exacting' be a reasonable alternative to 'onerous'?

While the synonyms exacting and onerous are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When might 'oppressive' be a better fit than 'onerous'?

In some situations, the words oppressive and onerous are roughly equivalent. However, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

onerous

adjective

ˈä-nə-rəs

Definition of onerous

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

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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How does the adjective onerous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of onerous are burdensome, exacting, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

In what contexts can burdensome take the place of onerous?

The synonyms burdensome and onerous are sometimes interchangeable, but burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would exacting be a reasonable alternative to onerous?

While the synonyms exacting and onerous are close in meaning, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When might oppressive be a better fit than onerous?

In some situations, the words oppressive and onerous are roughly equivalent. However, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

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 Prospective candidates have complained that many of the requirements to run are unwieldy and onerous, including the 26 documents being required. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026 California voters have become accustomed to voting down state ballot measures seeking to impose onerous rules on dialysis clinics that would put many out of business. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026 The contracts for Albert Pujols (10 years, $254 million), Josh Hamilton (five years, $125 million) and Anthony Rendon (seven years, $245 million) all proved onerous. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Because this onerous and not very lucrative work is unappealing to younger generations, the puesteros are an aging breed, with few lined up to replace them. — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous

Adjective

Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.

— Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Oscar-winning DoP Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about working on challenging movies, from Dune to The Batman, Rogue One to Zero Dark Thirty.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay's interest in human rights and the law.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay’s interest in human rights and the law.

— Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

The researchers plan to continue improving the system and evaluate it on more demanding manipulation tasks.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
In civil denaturalization cases, the government generally must prove its case in federal court with clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence, a demanding standard that reflects the importance of citizenship and the consequences of revoking it.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

After winning the prestigious Golden Eye, Plambech returns with another searing analysis of the immigrant experience.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The durable porcelain enamel exterior resists chipping and cracking, while the matte black interior enhances browning and searing.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

Moreover, even Scalia admitted the amendment process is a burdensome way to incorporate change.

— Brian Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Other running backs have had careers halted in their mid-to-late 20s because of burdensome or nagging injuries.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of burdensome

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one-on-one

onerous

ones

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“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of onerous

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