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
Relevance
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
As workforces navigate feeling both empowered and intimidated by the rise of AI, the onus is on leaders to equip their teams to forge the new era of work.
—
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for onus
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Seal grout lines once or twice a year to protect against moisture, dirt, and stains, reducing future cleaning efforts.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
The Andrew and Fergie scandals have, without a doubt, left a stain on the British royal family.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
If family dynamics feel tender, step back from blame and set a simple house rule that gives you breathing room without closing your heart.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Even so, Parker felt blame and guilt for her cousin’s death.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Traveling the state and helping people navigate the fear and stigma associated with their diagnoses was a formative experience, Duxler said.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
-
Come gather in community as participants share snacks and tea and break the stigma that death is a taboo topic.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Ten years after the shooting, survivors who spoke to CNN detailed their complicated – and still unfolding – recoveries, as well as their struggles with the guilt of living through the attack that took the lives of lovers, relatives and close friends.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
In a later epsiode, Charlie admits to staying away from home due to his guilt and losing out on time with his brother and dying mom.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The good news is that the gala survived its Bezos taint.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
5 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
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
-
For stains on upholstered couches labeled S or WS, blot the stain with a water-free solvent such as rubbing alcohol.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Most people don't develop body shame in a vacuum.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
An aftermath riddled with guilt and shame after Percy loses the love of her life, both stories on page and screen demonstrate how a single decision can reverberate across more than a decade, affecting someone’s self-perception and relationships.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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