ONUS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

onus

noun

ˈō-nəs

Definition of onus

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

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

Noun

The original clear stain was later painted a light green, then a dark green, then blue and is now back to green.

— Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Whitening mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can lift surface stains gradually, though prolonged use may lead to tooth sensitivity.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of stain

Noun

Israel’s agencies and transportation minister have traded blame over who was responsible for screening the flight, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of aviation security.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Whether blame should be apportioned to Darden, private equity, or hedge funds, Red Lobster is still dealing with the repercussions of the deal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

The gender barrier For Dallas Sutton, a 17-year-old automotive student at Detroit’s Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, the stigma is also gendered.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Some of those reasons, such as considering suicidal thoughts to be selfish, contribute to stigma.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stigma

Noun

Consumed by guilt, Verity acted paralyzed as penance, and to remain close to Jeremy and their remaining child.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
East of Eden is a tome obsessed with guilt, sin, ambition, race, the land as healing and capitalism as putrefying, the nature of fate and the question of free will, and the role money and inheritance play in either our corruption or our cleansing.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 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

There were flashes of politics and victim blaming, judgment and shame in a case that’s rife with unanswered questions and likely to evolve as more details come to light.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Its main goal is to name and shame businesses with ties to the settlements.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of shame

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“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of onus

noun

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