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
Laptops, however, are far and away the most common asset for remote workers, and for many companies, the onus is on the business to provide the tools to their employees.
—
Zaheer Dodhia, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
That put even more of the onus on Mitchell, Cleveland’s leading scorer, who erupted for 48 points with nine assists but was one of only four Cavaliers to eclipse five points.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
At that level, the onus will squarely be on President Trump.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
This new law would put the onus on paying these costs on the person who makes the false report.
—Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Zaheer Dodhia, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
That put even more of the onus on Mitchell, Cleveland’s leading scorer, who erupted for 48 points with nine assists but was one of only four Cavaliers to eclipse five points.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
At that level, the onus will squarely be on President Trump.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
This new law would put the onus on paying these costs on the person who makes the false report.
—Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
-
Dorai Home Dish Pad – Quick-Dry Diatomite Stone Drying Mat for Kitchen Counter Compressed diatomaceous earth will also hold onto stains, which makes sense given the fact that its job is to absorb moisture.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 June 2025
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Many of the vessels were sunk in very deep water, and a reconnaissance mission would require a significant amount of time and funds, by which point the more than 80-year-old wrecks could be little more than rust stains on the seafloor.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
In other words, many of their go-to argument tactics are riddled with errors that are designed to deflect blame and derail conversations.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Surviving family and friends suffered the injustice of the blame being put on Liverpool fans.—
Julia Andersen,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
The transition to the name MASH was done to take away some of the stigma associated with older terminology.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
31 May 2025
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Millennials courageously started talking openly about therapy, anxiety, and depression, breaking decades of stigma.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
As their father, Ruffalo’s charm belies a chasm of guilt, which is at the root of all that Hal & Harper is trying to uncover.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
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An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 36-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on a charge of criminal trespass to a vehicle at 1:01 p.m. May 29 at the police station, 1350 Aurora Ave.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
In his podcast on The Daily Wire this week, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro cited the taint of the jet deal and called on his listeners to honestly consider its implications.—
Howard LaFranchi,
Christian Science Monitor,
15 May 2025
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Chapter 7 Delaware Bay Water that Americans rely on for drinking and irrigation under threat from taint of saltwater Between New Jersey and Delaware, the river gives way to the Delaware Bay, where the water is salty.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Vietnam is a wound for many Americans: a bloody quagmire, a blot on our conscience, a war that claimed more than 58,000 American lives and shattered faith at home in the good intentions of the government.—
Leo Tran,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2025
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Finally, blot the eyebrows dry with a cotton pad or tissue, and voila!—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That means having the courage to say what needs to be said—without blame, without shame and always with the intention to help.—
Jaide Massin,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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But when the nights are long and your world has shattered, just having something to talk to without shame or fear, can be the difference between falling apart and holding on.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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