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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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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Recent Examples of onerous
Many high net worth residents have fled to places such as Italy and Dubai ahead of onerous new taxes set to take effect later this year, while business have put the brakes on hiring due to higher takes that will kick in later this spring.
—
Samantha Conti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Simply hoping the geese that lay Maryland’s golden eggs will abide onerous new taxes rather than simply migrate south of the Potomac is not a sound strategy for the state.
—David Brinkley, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2025
The issue with many state initiatives to help with homelessness is that the burden of proof to show aid is needed is onerous.
—Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The licenses came with rules that providers called onerous and unethical, including mandatory pelvic exams for women.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Samantha Conti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Simply hoping the geese that lay Maryland’s golden eggs will abide onerous new taxes rather than simply migrate south of the Potomac is not a sound strategy for the state.
—David Brinkley, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2025
The issue with many state initiatives to help with homelessness is that the burden of proof to show aid is needed is onerous.
—Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The licenses came with rules that providers called onerous and unethical, including mandatory pelvic exams for women.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onerous
Adjective
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This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Builders are facing a challenging market with mixed economic signals.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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This can be a challenging variable to track, given that there were insufficient details about the victim's mental health status in approximately 30% of incidents, Rad said.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 79-year-old Oscar winner embraces the challenging role of the Dutton family matriarch alongside co-star Harrison Ford, confronting everything from mountain lions to the harsh realities of frontier life.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
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Unlike Western cleansers, which often rely on harsh surfactants or astringent ingredients, Korean ones maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and natural pH balance, says Cho.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But their happy romance is soon demolished when Jenny reappears in their lives, thrusting all three into a difficult and messy journey towards true accountability and adulthood.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
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These protein complexes are highly shape-shifting, making traditional imaging methods very difficult.—
Priyanka Naik,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This gripping series takes viewers into insidious modern-day cults through the unique lens of members who endured unspeakable trauma and the shocking investigations into these oppressive groups.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2025
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Dominic Frey is a member of the oppressive class and everything Silas should despise — but now their mutual discretion is all that’s keeping them from punishment for their crimes of passion.—
Olivia Waite,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As agriculture became less demanding, the sector required fewer workers, enabling erstwhile farmers to work in a spectrum of other trades, including the high-technology industries of each generation, such as textiles, telegraphs, and telecommunications.—
Matthew J. Slaughter,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Find early investors in your circle of family and friends, since outside investors may be very demanding on equity and content and normally require at least a prototype to start.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hackman’s searing turn as the hyper, gum-smacking Doyle in the documentary-style French Connection distinguished him as a leading man.—
Duane Byrge,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
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Bouchard’s five-on-five on-ice outscoring is a searing total.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These protections, granted at a time when the auto industry boomed and no hint of competition from foreign automakers crested the horizon, would not be considered burdensome for the Detroit Three for decades.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA TODAY,
26 Feb. 2025
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Today’s plutocrat, on the other hand, sees the cultural élite as part of the burdensome past.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onerous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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