Synonyms of onerous

onerous

adjective

ˈä-nə-rəs 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of onerous

Companies are relying on the lack of competition and onerous cancellation polices to trap consumers into services. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

Nothing is more onerous than big tech, which extracts both natural and human resources and erodes our ability to self-govern. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

The discussion inspired a lively debate over prior authorization, which is intended to discourage overutilization but which doctors find onerous. —Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026

As an environment built on high demands, Villa can be an onerous place for a newcomer hoping to hit the ground running. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026