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
The onus still falls on consumers to research companies before signing up for their services, Kwong said.
—
Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for onus
Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Cleaning Pots And Pans Coffee grounds are a natural abrasive and can be added to any dish soap and water combo to scrub away pesky scum and food stains.—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
-
Next, apply a lipstick or lip stain with a matte finish—ideally patted on with your fingers—to finish it off.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Fans split over who carries the blame, from the fighter and his team to the commission and the promotion.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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Sellers place a lot of blame on Sundance’s online platform, but a major factor is streamers became primary buyers of Sundance films — and then the streamers opted out of compression and bet on ubiquity.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … WASHINGTON SECRETS — UFO investigator says stigma finally lifting on aliens after bombshell hearing.—
,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
-
Researchers have previously documented persistent body image distortions following weight changes, particularly among people who have spent years navigating weight stigma.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than adjudicating guilt, the filmmakers opted to leave the question of truth open to viewers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 June 2026
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But moral injury, formidable as the idea is, doesn’t apply to Odysseus, who suffers from neither shame nor guilt.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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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
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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
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According to Ronan, many individuals arrive at treatment carrying significant emotional burdens that include shame, disappointment, trauma, and self-doubt.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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The conditions that drive transmission — silence, shame, and avoidance — remain largely unchanged.—
Rasheed Gonga,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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