onus

noun

ˈō-nəs How to pronounce onus (audio)
Definition of onusnext
1
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of onus The fundamental shift toward 401(k)s places the onus on employees to decide how much to save and to plot out their investment strategy. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The onus should remain on utilities to pay, said Rex Frazier, the federation's president. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 The onus will fall not only on people experiencing homelessness, but also taxpayers whose money will go to finding solutions that get people off the streets. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 Such a change — which Kessler said FDA has the authority to do — would put the onus on food makers to prove refined carbs and sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup are OK for human consumption. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
  1. stain
  2. blame
  3. stigma
  4. guilt
  5. taint
  6. blot
  7. shame
Noun
  • Their ripe fruit can fall and stain sidewalks and patios, so make sure the tree has plenty of room away from those areas in your yard.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The stoneware resists chips, scratches, and stains, and everything is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Hossain is careful not to place the blame for that pressure solely on men.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The court, in the unanimous decision, placed the blame for the chaos directly at Hoskins.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • Perhaps the stigma that now exists around using ChatGPT to text a friend or message on a dating app will fade in the years ahead.
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As the case remains in the headlines, so will postpartum mental illness, but will Clancy’s story ultimately encourage women to report disturbing symptoms, or simply deepen the terror and stigma around them?
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stigma
Noun
  • Ricky Anderson entered what is known as an Alford plea, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to support a conviction without admitting guilt.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Graf also reiterated that his ruling was not a definitive finding of guilt, which will have to be determined by a jury during a future trial.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • On top of worrying about making great wine, European producers will now have to mitigate against smoke taint, save their grapes from frost, and consider how to future-proof vineyards in a rapidly changing climate.
    — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
Definition of taint
Noun
  • If especially juicy, lightly blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Once the stain is gone, blot again with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap residue and allow the upholstery to air-dry completely.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of blot
Noun
  • The creativity was not there, which is a shame when Morgan Gibbs-White is on the pitch.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The pain of his inability to speak about the tangle of anger and shame gnawing at him is palpable.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of shame

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Cite this Entry

“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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