1
as in tough
difficult to endure
had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action
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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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Recent Examples of onerous
But then the costs rise, the subscription tiers multiply and the terms and conditions become increasingly onerous.
—
Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
What Britain’s small businesses are facing, though, is a huge amount of very unwelcome uncertainty, which could affect their ability to trade with the U.S. even if the tariffs themselves are not seen as too onerous.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Those packages are numerous and onerous for customs officials to scan for tariffs.
—David Goldman, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
But the approach was slow, onerous and fundamentally ineffective.
—Nolan Hout, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
What Britain’s small businesses are facing, though, is a huge amount of very unwelcome uncertainty, which could affect their ability to trade with the U.S. even if the tariffs themselves are not seen as too onerous.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Those packages are numerous and onerous for customs officials to scan for tariffs.
—David Goldman, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
But the approach was slow, onerous and fundamentally ineffective.
—Nolan Hout, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
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Dodging tough questions without seeming a bit evasive.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
10 May 2025
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Last year’s drought conditions that extended into late fall combined with very windy winter conditions and frozen soils were tough for some evergreens.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Despite being born into a socioeconomically challenging environment, Muhammad realized early that empowerment could come from knowledge.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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On one hand, the problem makes a manager’s life more challenging by limiting a team’s available options to potentially finish a close game.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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The team opened the year with some question marks at third base and those questions have persisted after a harsh injury to Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm landed on the injured list earlier this month after suffering a high-grade strain to his right oblique.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
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From adorable accents to cozy touches, drivers are increasingly looking for ways to make their commutes and grocery runs just a bit more enjoyable—perhaps to offset the harsh reality of gas prices (and everything else).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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Clematis wilt is a fungal infection that is difficult to treat.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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That this sincere notion dovetails with an itch to vacate her dour, oppressive home only adds to her determination.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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To be sure, Florida had its attractions, one of which was the sunny weather, although air conditioning was still rare at the time, and the heat and humidity could be oppressive for much of the year.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Improving the air traffic system will also require the coordination of tens of thousands of safety workers in one of the country’s most demanding professions.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
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After all those frustrating hamstring injuries, perhaps operating in a slightly less demanding role can play a part in avoiding another setback.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Set in 2019 Los Angeles, Akil’s update paints a searing portrait of the issues faced by teenagers today, exploring the social media age and how, via the race-swapping of the leads, Black kids come of age in white America.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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As one more analogous reference, the need to manage hows reminds me of great literature, in particular, Viktor Frankl’s searing memoir Man’s Search For Meaning.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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For low-income families, the smartphone price hikes could hit the hardest, the CTA warned, which would be especially burdensome since imports triggering price drops only recently were credited with making smartphones more accessible in the US.—
Ashley Belanger – May 7,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
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The gender pay gap compounds the racial pay gap, creating a double-bind that makes student debt particularly burdensome.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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