onerous
What does "onerous" mean?
Onerous describes a task, duty, or responsibility that involves an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome. The mental image is that of a heavy physical load or a literal weight on one's shoulders that makes moving forward slow and exhausting. It is typically used in formal or professional contexts to describe work or obligations that feel draining or excessive. You will often see it paired with words like "duty," "task," or "burden," emphasizing that the requirement is not just difficult, but mentally or emotionally taxing to maintain over time.
"onerous" in conversation
Work project update
Are you still working on the compliance report?
Are you still working on the compliance report?
Yes, it’s an incredibly onerous task that requires double-checking every single entry.
Yes, it’s an incredibly onerous task that requires double-checking every single entry.
Used here to emphasize that the task is tedious and heavy.
Discussing new regulations
We need to update our privacy policy by Friday.
We need to update our privacy policy by Friday.
That sounds like an onerous requirement given our current staffing levels.
That sounds like an onerous requirement given our current staffing levels.
Highlights the difficulty of meeting an obligation.
"onerous" in a sentence
The new regulations placed an onerous burden on the small business owners.
The new regulations placed an onerous burden on the small business owners.
He found the process of filing for bankruptcy to be both lengthy and onerous.
He found the process of filing for bankruptcy to be both lengthy and onerous.
The contract contained several onerous clauses that made it impossible for the startup to remain profitable.
The contract contained several onerous clauses that made it impossible for the startup to remain profitable.
