ONUS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

onus

noun

ˈō-nəs

Definition of onus

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

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

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 retailers and brands to create multiple touchpoints customers need to believe the business is legitimate. — Catherine Erdly, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 While private property owners may still prohibit firearms on their premises, the onus now falls entirely on those owners to post signage banning guns. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2026 That said, the onus will be on the borrower to take action now, before their debt compounds further and their relief options grow more limited. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 23 June 2026 Peaco said the onus is on drone operators to check restrictions. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for onus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus

Noun

Orkin recommends inspecting hotel rooms before unpacking by checking mattresses and furniture for live bugs, shed skins, tiny eggs or dark, ink-like stains.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Doctors have to order a particular kind of test that requires a special stain that turns the eggs of the parasite bright pink or orange so they can be seen under a microscope.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Definition of stain

Noun

Instead, when concerns arise, blame is routinely shifted, and responsibility becomes one-sided.

— Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

The notion of remaining in your childhood home well into your adult years carries an enduring stigma, suggesting a failure to launch.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026
The stigma surrounding romance contradicts its enduring popularity as one of publishing’s most successful genres.

— Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Definition of stigma

Noun

The instinct in every one of these cases is to freak out, to fire off denials and go quiet, and that instinct is almost always the wrong one, since silence reads as guilt and panic reads as relevance.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Burkhart chose not to testify in the guilt-innocence trial phase or at the punishment hearing.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Let the cleaner sit for 15 minutes and blot the excess, or cover it with a damp cloth and leave it for up to 24 hours for heavily soiled or old, set-in spots.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2026

Definition of blot

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on top of

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Style

“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of onus

noun

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