The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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onerous

adjective

/ˈəʊn(ə)rəs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of onerous

Burdensome, difficult or oppressive, particularly in terms of responsibility or obligation.
"The onerous study schedule was making it hard for the student to maintain a social life."

Detailed meaning of onerous

It suggests that the task or responsibility is arduous and may require a significant amount of effort or work to complete. Onerous tasks or responsibilities may also cause stress or hardship, and are often seen as a source of difficulty or trouble. This term is commonly used to describe tasks or duties that are deemed particularly challenging or unpleasant. Examples of onerous tasks may include managing a large project, caring for a sick family member, or completing an extensive research paper in a short amount of time.

Example sentences containing onerous

1. The onerous task of cleaning the entire house fell on her shoulders.
2. The onerous paperwork made the immigration process daunting.
3. Balancing a full-time job and caregiving can be onerous.
4. The onerous terms of the contract raised concerns.
5. Managing a complex project with a tight deadline is onerous.
6. The onerous tax regulations left small businesses struggling.

History and etymology of onerous

The adjective 'onerous' has its origins in Latin, specifically from the word 'onerosus,' which is derived from 'onus,' meaning 'burden' or 'load.' In Latin, 'onerosus' originally described something that was burdensome or heavy to bear, often in the literal sense of a physical load. As the term evolved and entered English, it came to describe obligations, tasks, or responsibilities that are burdensome, difficult, or oppressive, much like carrying a heavy load. 'Onerous' refers to duties or requirements that impose a significant strain or challenge on an individual, often due to their demanding nature or the time and effort they require. The etymology of 'onerous' emphasizes the historical connection between burdensome tasks and the weighty sense of obligation or responsibility that they entail.

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Further usage examples of onerous

1. He found the onerous decision-making process exhausting.
2. Navigating through the dense forest was an onerous challenge.
3. The onerous debt weighed heavily on their financial stability.
4. Compliance with the new regulations proved onerous for companies.
5. The onerous workload left little time for personal life.
6. Meeting the onerous expectations of perfection was impossible.
7. An onerous commute can drain one's energy and time.
8. The onerous responsibility of caring for aging parents is taxing.
9. They faced the onerous task of rebuilding their home after the fire.
10. The onerous cost of healthcare can be a financial burden.
11. Finding a solution to the onerous problem required innovation.
12. The onerous decision to downsize the workforce was painful.
13. She completed the onerous journey despite the challenges.
14. Onerous regulations hindered business growth and innovation.
15. The onerous task of cleaning up the entire house fell on my shoulders.
16. The job of reconciling the accounts was particularly onerous.
17. The new regulations imposed an onerous burden on small businesses.
18. She found the task of writing the book to be onerous and time-consuming.
19. The onerous responsibilities of being a parent can be overwhelming at times.
20. The proposal to work weekends was met with onerous opposition from the employees.
21. The onerous duty of caring for a sick family member can take a toll on one's mental health.
22. The legal process can be onerous and expensive, especially for those with limited resources.
23. The onerous nature of the job caused many employees to quit within the first few weeks.
24. The contract included several onerous clauses that made it difficult to negotiate.
25. The onerous task of digging a ditch by hand was backbreaking work.
26. The government faced onerous criticism for its handling of the pandemic.