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 Most agree the onus falls primarily on students but add that academic programs and teachers play a part, too. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026 That puts the onus on Hal, the ostensible hero, to protect the innocent from the explosive fallout of an interplanetary dispute that has nothing to do with them. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 Most of the onus, however, remains on the rookies themselves, according to Sieler, who praised general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley for drafting a great group of young players. — Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026 That now puts the onus on Meta to authenticate the age of its users and protect its customers. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 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
  • Price testified that an initial test indicated the stain could be blood, but investigators could not find the swab for further laboratory testing.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, Barry served six months in prison, and though he was later reelected as mayor, his drug use left an irremediable stain on his reputation and raised larger questions about misgovernance and corruption.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • On message boards and on call-in shows, Lewis, who turned 19 late last month, has shouldered much of the blame.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • Yet people who use drugs continue to face significant stigma in our health care system and in the broader public policy debate.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Duhamel believes the stigma is finally lifting as more celebrities and public figures speak up.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of stigma
Noun
  • Nacer is quite good at variations of patriarchal obliviousness, and Pebdani suffuses her women with streaks of guilt.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Men brought in from outside are coached to act out romances with her again and again, performing love, regret and guilt while their tears are gathered.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 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
  • Remove the wings from the refrigerator and blot away any visible moisture with paper towels.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel Act+Acre’s popular flat towel comes with instructions for a specific technique —blot and squeeze, no rubbing.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of blot
Noun
  • The shame lies with the governments who ignored the AIDS crisis and the stigma that was around people and the innate prejudice that was in society.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Accordingly, some straight men feel shame about their interest.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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