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
Over the past decade, the E.U. laid out a suite of regulations that the financial industry has complained is too onerous.
—
Justin Worland, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
The culprits are varied: onerous local-content requirements, land use limitations, and broader rising costs.
—Jim Ellis, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
New Energy Woes: The onerous process is now being used to stall wind and solar projects, and one 76-year-old has filed more challenges to green energy proposals than anyone in the state.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2025
Beijing and Washington have stepped back from their most extreme positions at the height of a trade war in the spring, but maintain onerous tariffs on one another’s imports, and American lawmakers are increasingly calling for heavy oversight of Chinese firms trading on US stock markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Justin Worland, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
The culprits are varied: onerous local-content requirements, land use limitations, and broader rising costs.
—Jim Ellis, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
New Energy Woes: The onerous process is now being used to stall wind and solar projects, and one 76-year-old has filed more challenges to green energy proposals than anyone in the state.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2025
Beijing and Washington have stepped back from their most extreme positions at the height of a trade war in the spring, but maintain onerous tariffs on one another’s imports, and American lawmakers are increasingly calling for heavy oversight of Chinese firms trading on US stock markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Leaves harvested after flowering may be tough and bitter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Taking the most challenging courses available — like AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes — signals preparedness for college-level work.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Because of this consistent advocacy, the Mayor selected me to help lead efforts to move Council forward through this challenging time.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Counties and municipalities can impose harsher restrictions as well.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Palace’s recruitment strategy depends on selling players, however difficult such deals are to stomach.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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Chapa said at the news conference that making a final decision was difficult.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Baldwin has done it while playing the most difficult and demanding position on the diamond, mentally in terms of daily meetings and film study, and physically from the toll of working beneath pads in the summer heat and getting nicked up from foul tips, collisions and occasional wayward swings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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This has come as a result of America being too demanding and being very political.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Oliver wants the world to perceive his authenticity—a funny, slightly searing character trait for a fictional rising pop star.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
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The contiguous United States has endured another searing summer.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There is no sense, however, if an increase in public records requests equals a rise in burdensome work for staff.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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In states such as New Jersey, South Carolina and Louisiana with overly burdensome regulatory action, such as rate regulation, companies have been forced out of the market, limiting choice and resulting in some of the highest costs in the nation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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