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
The mayor’s City Council opponents have insisted the onus is on him.
—
Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The onus is squarely on him to break USC through the ceiling that has hovered over the program since Pete Carroll left 16 years ago.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
That puts a lot of the onus for success on Stiller and Boone.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Getting play-making receivers to open up the passing game, and taking the onus off Christian McCaffrey, would better help the 49ers take on the Seahawks.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onus
Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The onus is squarely on him to break USC through the ceiling that has hovered over the program since Pete Carroll left 16 years ago.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
That puts a lot of the onus for success on Stiller and Boone.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Getting play-making receivers to open up the passing game, and taking the onus off Christian McCaffrey, would better help the 49ers take on the Seahawks.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Unexplained stains on a new pair of trousers.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If a disagreement surfaces, state your point of view without blame (and be sure to let others share as well).—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
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For several weeks, Fanatics took blame for the construction of the new uniforms before MLB and Nike took responsibility for the design and specs of the uniform.—
A.J. Perez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Come gather in community as Death Cafe participants share snacks and tea and break the stigma that death is a taboo topic.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Normalizing sensory supports through play helps replace curiosity or stigma with familiarity.—
Tiffany Hodges,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the restaurant on the top floor, Gray Kunz’s Café Gray Deluxe, the lamb tagine is so tender there’s no guilt for skipping a chance to have dim sum and Hong Kong’s signature egg tarts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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The film ruminates on guilt, familial strife, and trauma with Ball’s signature bittersweet touch, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The taint of being part of the cheating 2017 Astros has worn off over the years, and Cubs fans are banging the drum for Bregman’s arrival, excited to have an offensive upgrade from Matt Shaw, who can still learn a lot from playing multiple positions and watching from the bench.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To fix this, simply rub a wet rag with a little dish soap into the stain, and then blot dry.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Such cancellations are a blot on the escutcheon of the left as certainly as cancellations from the right, and the deference of any publisher to them a mark of rank cowardice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no shame in belt tightening, which is long overdue in Miami.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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This was a fugitive sensibility with a shroud of shame around it.—
E. Alex Jung,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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