1
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
he perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onus
However, Oakley emphasized that the onus in the fight against dementia isn’t just on the individual.
—
Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
But the onus is falling on ordinary residents to carry out the plan.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
In some ways, IndyCar is more independent, where the individual holds more of an onus to deliver versus the entire apparatus.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
That will put more onus on receiver Jaylen Waddle as well as tight ends Tanner Conner and Julian Hill.
—Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
But the onus is falling on ordinary residents to carry out the plan.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
In some ways, IndyCar is more independent, where the individual holds more of an onus to deliver versus the entire apparatus.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
That will put more onus on receiver Jaylen Waddle as well as tight ends Tanner Conner and Julian Hill.
—Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Spray the mixture onto the stain and then blot with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
For larger messes, the stain-resistant rug is also machine-washable for quick and hassle-free maintenance.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While no blame was assigned, the hearings were open to the public and often gave interested parties, including family members of the person killed, their first opportunity for answers.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Both cases are apt to serve as models for how to prevent the kind of school shootings still plaguing the nation and could set legal precedent for who shoulders the blame when children have access to guns and open fire on campus.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With so much stigma on trying to revive long-dormant shows, some stars and showrunners would rather just gather for a reunion special.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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For more than three decades, Ralph has embodied that light, using her platform to fight HIV/AIDS stigma and uplift communities through her nonprofit, The DIVA Foundation.—
Donnetta Monk,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Robertas Petraitis, known from Lithuania’s 2026 Oscar contender The Southern Chronicles, stars as Andrius, who is full of grief and guilt after a masked intruder kills his secret lover Deividas (Elvinas Juodkazis), who is Lithuania’s most influential human rights activist.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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Baramulla ultimately transcends its supernatural thriller form to become a parable about guilt, faith, and collective memory.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.—
Maurice H. Decker,
Outdoor Life,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spray the mixture onto the stain and then blot with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
After a few minutes, blot the area and wash the item by hand.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There is no place for intimidation or ego tripping disguised as ‘leadership,’ or for using titles and stages to instill fear and shame instead of empower.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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There is no place for intimidation or ego tripping disguised as 'leadership' or for using titles and stages to instill fear and shame instead of empower.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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