onus

1 a mark of guilt or disgrace hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time Synonyms blot, brand, stain, slur, smirch, smudge, spot, stigma, taintRelated Words black eye, discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, guilt, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame; corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquity, licentiousness, sin, unscrupulousness, viceNear Antonyms award, credit, honor; chasteness, chastity, modesty, purity, stainlessness; good, right; 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 culpability, fault, guilt, blame, rapRelated Words blameworthiness, complicity, guiltiness, sinfulness; accusation, censure, condemnation, denunciation, finger-pointing, reproach; regret, remorse, self-reproach, shameAntonyms blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, innocence