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
Heyman put the onus on Rhodes – the face of the blue brand – to make Gunther sign the contracts.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
But the onus shouldn’t be on the individual patient.
—Barbara Wolf, STAT, 15 May 2026
After this week's disappointing inflation news (and last month's interest rate pause), the onus has shifted to borrowers in debt to take action independently.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
At any rate, the laws put the onus on the parents to comply and correctly calculate their children’s earnings, with little to no outside enforcement.
—Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for onus
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
But the onus shouldn’t be on the individual patient.
—Barbara Wolf, STAT, 15 May 2026
After this week's disappointing inflation news (and last month's interest rate pause), the onus has shifted to borrowers in debt to take action independently.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
At any rate, the laws put the onus on the parents to comply and correctly calculate their children’s earnings, with little to no outside enforcement.
—Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Use a baking soda paste to help with stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead, sources say, Netanyahu lays the blame at the feet of the US negotiators – Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff – for steering the president toward an end to the hostilities.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
Gorman’s death quickly became a lightning rod in the polarizing discourse over immigration policy, as national and local conservative politicians placed blame on the state’s sanctuary laws.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The director explains that there’s a very real weight stigma that exists in society and that due to that it’s often suggested that being in a larger body is somehow a moral failing.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
For much of the 20th century, divorce carried a significant stigma within royal circles.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
In boyhood, guilt was a constant companion.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
-
According to Botwin, cancer survivors she’s worked with have dealt with emotional challenges that affect their healing process, including depression and survivor’s guilt.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The good news is that the gala survived its Bezos taint.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Then, blot-dry excess moisture with clean paper towels or extract with a wet/dry vacuum.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Alongside the grief and shame was an unexpected sense of gratitude, even wonder, at the possibility of beginning again.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
-
Acting civilized, working hard, reflecting on our own actions, owning mistakes, having shame, trying to be better!—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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