Words / C2

OHN-uh-r-uh-s/ˈəʊnərəs/

Onerous means the duty, cost, or task is heavy to bear. Use it instead of hard when you mean burden, often legal or financial (onerous terms). In speech a lot to take on or heavy is clearer; onerous sounds like a contract.

Meaning

Needing a lot of effort or money; burdensome.

Examples

• “The new rules placed an onerous duty on small shops.”
• “The reporting requirements were onerous for volunteers.”
• “He inherited an onerous mortgage.”

Good to know

Burdensome duties/costs. Everyday: burdensome.

Near in meaning

burdensome

New