Onerous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🤯

Add to dictionary

onerous

[ˈɒnərəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

legal

Involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome.

Synonyms

arduous, burdensome, difficult, taxing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
onerous	Use when describing tasks or responsibilities that are heavy, oppressive, and require significant effort. Often implies a legal or moral weight. Signing the contract came with truly onerous obligations Her job involved onerous duties that left her exhausted
burdensome	Ideal for describing tasks or responsibilities that feel excessively heavy and difficult to manage, often due to their weight or complexity. The constant travel was becoming increasingly burdensome She found juggling work and studies to be quite burdensome
taxing	Used to describe tasks or activities that are particularly tiring and demand a significant amount of mental or physical effort. The long meeting was mentally taxing Gardening all day can be quite taxing on the body
arduous	Best used for tasks and activities that are physically or mentally demanding, involving a lot of effort over a long period. The team began the arduous trek up the mountain Completing the marathon was an arduous accomplishment
difficult	A general term for tasks, situations, or problems that require considerable effort, skill, or determination to accomplish. Learning a new language can be difficult The exam questions were very difficult to answer

Examples of usage

The onerous task of proving his innocence fell upon him.
The contract placed onerous obligations on the company.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

general

Involving heavy obligations or duties; hard to endure.

Synonyms

arduous, burdensome, difficult, taxing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
onerous	Describes a task or responsibility that is very challenging and requires a lot of effort, often with an implication of being overly difficult. The most onerous part of the project was managing the tight deadlines.
burdensome	Indicates something that weighs heavily on someone, either emotionally or mentally, causing significant stress or difficulty. The financial obligations of the loan became burdensome for the family.
taxing	Refers to tasks that require a great deal of effort, energy, or resources, often leaving one feeling exhausted. Preparing for the final exams was mentally and physically taxing.
arduous	Used when a task is physically or mentally demanding and takes a long time to complete. It emphasizes the strenuousness of the effort required. Hiking up the steep mountain was an arduous endeavor.
difficult	A general term used to describe something that is not easy to do, understand, or deal with. It covers a wide range of challenging situations. Learning a new language can be difficult at first.

Examples of usage

The onerous responsibility of caring for her sick mother.
The onerous demands of the job were overwhelming.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

In legal terms, a contract can be deemed onerous if it imposes an excessive burden on one party without providing adequate benefits.
Onerous obligations in real estate can involve responsibilities that are particularly taxing, like maintenance or taxes.
Sometimes, people may enter into agreements that seem beneficial but turn out to be onerous due to hidden costs.

Psychology

Tasks perceived as onerous can lead to increased stress and anxiety in individuals, affecting mental well-being.
Research indicates that when people view a task as onerous, they are likely to procrastinate, avoiding a situation they find overwhelming.
Positive reinforcement can help alleviate the feeling of a task being onerous, making it feel more achievable.

Pop Culture

In many films, the protagonist often faces onerous challenges that test their resolve, highlighting themes of perseverance.
Onerous challenges are a common trope in video games, where characters must complete difficult missions to progress.
Books and media that address social issues often portray the onerous nature of systemic problems faced by individuals.

Literature

The concept of onerous duties often appears in classic literature, symbolizing the burdens characters must bear, like in 'Moby Dick.'
Shakespeare frequently explored themes of onerous responsibilities, especially within his tragic characters who struggle with their fates.
Modern novels often depict protagonists overwhelmed by the onerous expectations of society, leading to character development.

Origin of 'onerous'

Main points about word origin

Originates from the Latin word 'onerōsus,' meaning 'burdensome' or 'heavy.'
The word has been used in English since the late 15th century, reflecting its long-standing association with weight and difficulty.
Related to the word 'oner,' which refers to a burden or weight in Old French.

The word 'onerous' originated from the Latin word 'onerōsus', which means 'burdensome'. It has been used in English since the early 17th century. The concept of something being onerous has been present in human society for centuries, as people have always faced burdensome tasks and obligations. Throughout history, the term has been used to describe various legal, financial, and personal burdens that individuals or entities may face.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,245, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15242 rapport
15243 inoperative
15244 exaggerate
15245 onerous
15246 indiscriminately
15247 transpired
15248 incapacitated
...