onerous

[on-er-uhs, oh-ner-]

adjective

1. burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; causing hardship.

   onerous duties.

   Synonyms: galling, irksome, grievous, heavy

2. having or involving obligations or responsibilities, especially legal ones, that outweigh the advantages.

   an onerous agreement.

onerous

/ ˈəʊ-, ˈɒnərəs /

adjective

1. laborious or oppressive

2. law (of a contract, lease, etc) having or involving burdens or obligations that counterbalance or outweigh the advantages

Other Word Forms

• onerously adverb
• onerousness noun
• onerosity noun
• nononerous adjective
• nononerously adverb
• nononerousness noun
• unonerous adjective
• unonerously adverb
• unonerousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of onerous¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin onerōsus, equivalent to oner- (stem of onus ) burden + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of onerous¹

C14: from Latin onerōsus burdensome, from onus load

Example Sentences

He called it an "onerous condition", which might require him to take one day off each week to travel to Melbourne, and could mean he has less time with patients.

From BBC

India will need to resolve a range of trade barriers - from ease of doing business, to onerous compliance, complex taxation laws and data protection issues.

From BBC

Implementation has been onerous and confusing, delaying critical housing and infrastructure projects and driving away needed jobs and investment, they say.

From Los Angeles Times

An onerous back-and-forth ensued, and a High Court hearing eventually took place, around the same time the company was delisted.

From BBC

“It’s kind of onerous,” he said, explaining that remembering to switch gears every three minutes, walking fast and slow and navigating technology isn’t easy for everyone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arduous 
• backbreaking 
• burdensome 
• cumbersome 
• demanding 
• difficult 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• excessive 
• exhausting 
• grueling 
• harsh 
• intolerable 
• laborious 
• oppressive 
• painful 
• rigorous 
• severe 
• strenuous 
• taxing 
• troublesome