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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onerous
This lawsuit is onerous and harmful.
—
Laura Einhorn, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Combining parts of the election bill together with the remainder of ICE funding in a single reconciliation package will be an onerous and complicated process.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
On pickup trucks, for instance, the spare tire is cryptically stashed and onerous to extract.
—Maddy Butcher, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Some small-scale developers found the costs pushed by code too onerous, driving up prices for homes.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Laura Einhorn, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Combining parts of the election bill together with the remainder of ICE funding in a single reconciliation package will be an onerous and complicated process.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
On pickup trucks, for instance, the spare tire is cryptically stashed and onerous to extract.
—Maddy Butcher, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Some small-scale developers found the costs pushed by code too onerous, driving up prices for homes.
—Mark Dee
march 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
One factor is that the Highlanders, a Division 3 team, haven’t faced the toughest schedule.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Without adequate feedback, support and professional development, employees are likely to seek a more challenging environment.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Engage your brain through reading and intellectually challenging tasks.—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The lawyers also argue that Combs' sentence was too harsh, saying the trial judge wrongly based it in part on a conclusion that the crimes involved fraud and coercion and that Combs was a leader or organizer of criminal activity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Focused on a 2021 expedition in which Icelandic climber John Snorri Sigurjónsson and the Pakistani father-and-son team Ali and Sajid Sadpara attempt to become the first to summit K2 in winter, when conditions are at their harshest.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There were also high-arcing 3-pointers that touched nothing but the net, a difficult runner through contact that went in, and the kind of gravity that gave Kristaps Porzingis a layup just by cutting into space while the big man dove.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Some things in life are difficult.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Refusing to abide by aspects of the oppressive and budget-busting Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is as good a place to start as any.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The third was to free the Iranian people from a brutally oppressive government and move the country toward democratic representation reflecting the aspirations and talents of its 90 million people.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The hours were long, stressful, and emotionally demanding.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Wheeler coach Larry Thompson saw Landrew’s basketball IQ and physical toughness lead his team through some of its most demanding moments.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The term refers to warmer-than-average waters along the equatorial Pacific that can influence weather across the globe, raising the odds of searing drought in some regions and torrential rain in others.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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Paramount+’s The Madison is a tale of two shows, one a dire lampooning of snooty New York elites and one a searing portrait of grief and healing anchored by Pfeiffer’s raw intensity.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In fact, it is quite often seen by local decision makers as costly and burdensome, or in any case failing to generate revenue.—
Russell Hancock,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Kicking back against State Farm’s claim that the discovery order was burdensome, the AG’s petition noted that State Farm, which announced a recent valuation of $170 billion with $25 billion in growth over the last year, was a big enough company to handle any discovery order.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoma Watch,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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