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
Ever since, the ruling has put the onus on retailers and brands to police online marketplaces themselves, conduct test buys to find counterfeit products and submit requests to have the items taken down.
—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Thus, the stalemate continues, and Turner put the onus on Golden State to make the right offer.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Since the team didn’t have a mascot, Watson said the fans took the onus to create their own.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
In my opinion, a big part of that is because the onus is on business owners to carry out the data work.
—Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Thus, the stalemate continues, and Turner put the onus on Golden State to make the right offer.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Since the team didn’t have a mascot, Watson said the fans took the onus to create their own.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
In my opinion, a big part of that is because the onus is on business owners to carry out the data work.
—Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
After the hat has cooled, Rosa—a factory floor veteran of 30 years—will steam it to relax the fur’s fibers, and then inspect it for stains and imperfections.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
-
To clean food stains or mineral deposits, spray the area with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On multiple occasions, Johnson has pointed the blame at those who flee police and credited officers with showing restraint in pursuits.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been playing the blame game this week, accusing the other of not being willing to negotiate.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Anchored in Ana Tipa’s observational lens, the film uses a singular case to reflect on stigma, naming and destiny within Latin American contexts.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The automaker has recently expanded its apprenticeship programs and partnered with nonprofits to create new training opportunities, hoping to combat the persistent stigma and pay challenges attached to trade work.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What lingers as the end credits roll is Daniel Day-Lewis’ noble face — full of sorrow, resentment, guilt and shame, emotions that Ray spends much of the early action masking in hardened indifference.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The judge commented that the decision was not a ruling on his innocence or guilt, but the technical error in bringing the case.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.—
Maurice H. Decker,
Outdoor Life,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The taint of it all has melted away.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Alaves is the only blot on their copybook.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pretreat any stains with a stain remover of choice and blot with a dry white cloth to remove as much stain prior to washing.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Until very recently, people who have been pregnant or given birth kept the experience to themselves; a sense of secrecy or even shame pervaded the realities of welcoming a child.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The remorse, the sorrow, the regret, the disappointment, the shame.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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