onus

noun

ˈō-nəs How to pronounce onus (audio)
Definition of onusnext
1
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time

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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

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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 The onus is on the audience to get on board with that flipped dynamic — but doing so is rewarding. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026 Many saw it as a bit of a gimmick, putting on a specialist stopper may increase the probability of making saves, but the onus still remains on the taker to score. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 With solar and wind energy technologies reaching their efficiency limits, the onus of generating large amounts of carbon-free energy is likely to fall on nuclear technologies. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 Hoboken remains one of the many cities that put the onus to fix sidewalks onto adjacent property owners. — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
  1. stain
  2. blame
  3. stigma
  4. guilt
  5. taint
  6. blot
  7. shame
Noun
  • And some tree fruits, such as mulberries and cherries, can leave stains on siding, roofs, and decks that are difficult to remove.
    — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • Remove Mold Stains From Painted Walls Kill mold spores and lighten moldy stains by spraying the area with undiluted hydrogen peroxide.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 July 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • In fact, the mythical character of Odysseus does not deserve the blame.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026
  • Larkin and Yzerman each have their share of blame for that situation, with few hard facts to go off beyond snapshots and innuendo.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • Whether real or imagined, the stigma is there, making this particular crisis one that Taco Bell needs to address in full force.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Skovronsky said when Lilly started working in the area, there was stigma around treating depression at all.
    — Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of stigma
Noun
  • The jury’s guilt-innocence verdict appears to be an assessment that Royal intentionally or knowingly caused Watkins’ death, but not during a robbery.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
  • What’s surprsing, however, is that the two habits that turn up again and again in the closest, most durable couples suggest the guilt is misplaced.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.
    — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of taint
Noun
  • This will likely go down as the lowest point – the blot on what has been a surprisingly bright summer.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026
  • The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of blot
Noun
  • Even in organizational cultures that embrace mental health, financial strain and its associated shame can remain hidden.
    — Dr. Erika Rasure, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • For generations, many families carried not only unimaginable grief but also shame.
    — Geri McGinn Kerger, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of shame

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Cite this Entry

“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of onus for Spanish Speakers

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