Thesaurus

onus

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of onus

1 a mark of guilt or disgrace

hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time

Synonyms of onus

blot, brand, slur, smirch, smudge, spot, stain, stigma, taint

Words Related to onus

black eye, discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, guilt, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame

corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquity, licentiousness, sin, unscrupulousness, vice

Near Antonyms of onus

award, credit, honor

chasteness, chastity, modesty, purity, stainlessness

honesty, integrity, legitimacy, probity, rectitude, scrupulousness, uprightness

goodness, righteousness, virtuousness

fame, glory, renown, repute

2 responsibility for wrongdoing or failure

he perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members

Synonyms of onus

blame, culpability, fault, guilt, rap

Words Related to onus

blameworthiness, complicity, guiltiness, sinfulness

accusation, censure, condemnation, denunciation, finger-pointing, reproach

regret, remorse, self-reproach, shame

Antonyms of onus

blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, innocence

Learn More about onus

See words that rhyme with onus Dictionary: Definition of onus Spanish Central: Translation of onus Nglish: Translation of onus for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of onus for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up onus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

tomfoolery

playful or foolish behavior

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games