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
Schoen returning for a fifth season, with seven wins combined the past two years, also puts the onus on the Giants’ next head coach to win in 2026.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Those struggles put the onus on the passing game in a slippery setting.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 3, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
Yet, Dawkins doesn’t want to put too much onus on a win over Kansas.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
The law, passed last year, prohibits them from using social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok but places the onus of enforcement on the companies.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Those struggles put the onus on the passing game in a slippery setting.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 3, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
Yet, Dawkins doesn’t want to put too much onus on a win over Kansas.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
The law, passed last year, prohibits them from using social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok but places the onus of enforcement on the companies.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Snag it in black, white, green, blue, or maple or walnut wood stains in sizes ranging from 4 by 4 inches to 8 by 10 inches.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Additional Tips Avoid using hairspray to clean nail polish stains.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the violations of the deal.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
On the five-year anniversary this week, the White House launched a web page casting blame on Democrats, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and Capitol Police for the violence that transpired that day.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Industry analysts warn that social stigma remains high and inflation threatens to curb spending on experimental, nonessential goods.—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Wight says that this process can be done using a small Q-tip to transfer pollen from the anthers to the stigmas.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Because women are socialized to be responsible, empathetic, and attuned to others’ needs, deciding to leave can result in feelings of guilt and shame.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, guilt or irritability, as well as loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Dorit is trying to solve it by sending her kids to visit her parents in Florida for a few weeks, but PK, an ill-fitting thong made out of an alligator’s taint skin, has blocked it just to torture her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, dip a cloth or cotton balls in acetone and blot firmly on the remaining polish.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Once the product has had a chance to soak in, blot the area with a towel dampened with water to remove any residue.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no shame in making a big, beautiful film that makes people laugh and cry and feel all the feelings that lots of people will see.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
-
What a shame the NBA has allowed this to happen to handicap the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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