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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of onus
At that point, the onus was on the NCAA to articulate any procompetitive benefits of their eligibility rules.
—
Joe Sabin, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Now, the onus is on Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties, whose leaders mostly back the Sunshine Corridor, but have yet to commit to any funding for the PD&E study.
—Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
The matches when the onus has been on Newcastle to break down opponents have been their undoing.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
But with the internet and various health-tracking apps, the onus is on you to take personal control over your daily habits.
—Jon Bier, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for onus 
Joe Sabin, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Now, the onus is on Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties, whose leaders mostly back the Sunshine Corridor, but have yet to commit to any funding for the PD&E study.
—Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
The matches when the onus has been on Newcastle to break down opponents have been their undoing.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
But with the internet and various health-tracking apps, the onus is on you to take personal control over your daily habits.
—Jon Bier, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
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This mat also held up to pet stains—after tossing it in the wash, there was no change in appearance or texture.—
Moriah Mason,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2025
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The best way to treat common carpet stains: Step by step What’s the best way to clean pet stains from carpet?—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Gail: Pat Riley and Heat management share the bulk of the blame for the current mess.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2025
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John is not a defendant in her lawsuit, which places the blame squarely on Matthew and Robert.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Unlike carbohydrates and fat—the other two macronutrients—protein doesn’t come with the same kind of cultural stigma.—
Kari Sonde,
TIME,
13 Jan. 2025
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The music video may cause initial backlash among those concerned about propagating mental health stigmas by featuring images of a person in a straitjacket.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 21-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on a warrant at 7:25 p.m. Jan. 11 in the 800 block of Springhill Circle.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2025
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Cortland agreed to a consent decree in the case, which will resolve any claims against the company without admission of guilt, according to the Justice Department’s news release.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Wexler regrets one thing: that his campaign had no time to check on who was behind the Noise Pollution Action Fund, as the press did so quickly after he was endorsed — too late in the campaign for Wexler to escape the taint.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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The sordid origin story of infidelity that explains Elphaba’s birth and dysfunctional family taints everything that follows.—
Armond White,
National Review,
27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Red Wine or Dark-Colored Food Stains As quickly as possible, lift away any solids and blot, blot, blot away the moisture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2024
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For coffee stains on carpet, blot the spill first to soak up as much liquid as possible.—
Jessica Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The almost $200-dollar price tag might deter someone who isn’t a Beyoncé fan from buying this, and that’s a shame because this is actually quite nice.—
Jihan Forbes,
Allure,
10 Jan. 2025
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Comments in Hill’s upload ultimately support the unnamed girl and condemn the church for the public shame.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near onus
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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