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
Many later critiqued the movement as an individualistic framework that supported privileged women and failed to put the onus on the inequitable systems at play.
—
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 22 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for onus
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 22 May 2026
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
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
-
Bottoms said political leaders should focus less on blame and more on voters' concerns.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
In the meantime, each of the three companies is shirking blame.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 June 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
-
But there’s guilt for Black artists when success means crossing over.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
-
Carrying that guilt for decades has manifested in a quietly simmering rage that comes out in crimes of passion, including killing his wife.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
7 June 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
-
Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Allow the garment to soak for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove it from the detergent solution and blot with a white paper towel or cloth.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Murray says shame can stop women from getting help.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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