1
as in tough
difficult to endure
had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
building the scale model of the frigate was an onerous task
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of onerous
Living in an ice sheet was not as harsh, or as onerous, as Weiss had initially feared.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
The punishments were rated on a five-tier scale, five being the most onerous; a Tier 2 might require a guy to hang a poster of the winner’s face on his wall for a year.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Welfare benefit assessments are often an onerous and somewhat frightening experience for many with disabilities and so a reduction in the number of these to be endured would be welcome.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
The whole process of applying for grants is a lengthy, onerous one, usually taking at least a year from the time the grant proposal is submitted till it being awarded, assuming that the proposal is part of the lucky 10% or less that successfully gets funded.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
The punishments were rated on a five-tier scale, five being the most onerous; a Tier 2 might require a guy to hang a poster of the winner’s face on his wall for a year.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Welfare benefit assessments are often an onerous and somewhat frightening experience for many with disabilities and so a reduction in the number of these to be endured would be welcome.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
The whole process of applying for grants is a lengthy, onerous one, usually taking at least a year from the time the grant proposal is submitted till it being awarded, assuming that the proposal is part of the lucky 10% or less that successfully gets funded.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
-
Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
González also supports a tough stance on crime but has criticized Noboa’s use of foreign military contractors.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Coach Chris Finch has led them to the playoffs in each of his four full seasons on the job, and this may have been the most challenging one yet.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The game is essentially 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball, offering a challenging experience that, while not entirely reflective of actual wheelchair basketball, provides a unique gameplay twist.—
Eammonn Dignam,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hope reigns even in this harsh political climate we Americans are now experiencing.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Several previous town halls gave a platform to politically damaging attacks on GOP lawmakers over Trump’s policies and especially the harsh cuts in government agencies engineered by billionaire first buddy Elon Musk.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Third, operational command of Kamikaze planes is difficult because results cannot be evaluated with any accuracy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Instead, the major drama comes in the form of Ivy’s corruption by her acting coach, as Ivy gradually goes method and becomes as difficult to work with as Marilyn was (one of this musical’s many meta moments).—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Collector is also hoping these will satiate the growing wants of his oppressive overlord, The Forger (Roddy Ricch), who has mysterious motives of his own.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the last two decades, the number of hospitals and diagnostic centers has already increased sixfold, and there’s room for many more, particularly those that value quality, which patients are increasingly demanding and becoming aware of.—
Sylvana Quader Sinha,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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In making such a claim, Bonhoeffer moved the aim of conscience away from obedience to rational principles and to the more demanding and concrete love for God and one’s living, breathing, suffering neighbor.—
David DeCosse,
Mercury News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Her viral speech in Minneapolis in 2020 remains one of the most searing indictments of state violence in recent memory.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Storms in the South can topple shade trees, opening yards to the searing summer sun.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Illinois House of Representatives is considering a bill that would impose new, burdensome regulations on parents who homeschool their children.—
James R. Mason,
National Review,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Proponents see the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda as an opportunity push through legislation that would streamline what industry calls burdensome regulations and bureaucracy.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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