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
According to Carr, some of the requirements are too onerous.
—
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Ongoing inflation and higher tariffs resulting in onerous duties on shoe imports contributed to the increases.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
There was out-and-out enslavement, of Native Americans and Africans; there were onerous tribute demands and a labor corvée called the repartimiento.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The penalties for not complying with the FBAR filing requirements are onerous.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Ongoing inflation and higher tariffs resulting in onerous duties on shoe imports contributed to the increases.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
There was out-and-out enslavement, of Native Americans and Africans; there were onerous tribute demands and a labor corvée called the repartimiento.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The penalties for not complying with the FBAR filing requirements are onerous.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even at the show itself, some onlookers had found Lantink’s first non-couture collection from the house for a decade or so too challenging for their sensibilities to compute.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
While its not uncommon for companies to establish new garment factories, new mills are more challenging.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cue, Helm’s first rejection, abandonment, difficult emotions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This character was actually quite difficult for me.—
Gavin J Blair,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
After a summer of oppressive heat, October is when New York City hits its stride.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Raducanu had her blood pressure taken during the match, which was played in oppressive heat and humidity, before retiring down 6-1, 4-1.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the tale’s bitterest ironies is that Victor will become a more demanding, more neglectful, and vastly more destructive father figure than Leopold ever was.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Check-in bullies are the most demanding hotel guests.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Its lighter, more delicate texture is best suited to baking, poaching, or searing.—
Rachael Zimlich,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Racking up enthusiastic reviews, Dave’s Hot Chicken has made a searing entry into the Boise market.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The buildings being vacated were apparently already 40% unoccupied, and a burdensome cost on center resources.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Large-scale developments also have become increasingly challenging to build due to burdensome regulations and high construction and labor costs.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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