Comparing the load: unpacking "burdensome" vs. "onerous"
Reviewed and edited by
Lloyd Cooper 19/10/2024, 11:49
English.me team member

What is similar?
Both "burdensome" and "onerous" describe something that involves a lot of effort and difficulty, often causing stress or inconvenience.
What is different?
While "burdensome" typically emphasizes the emotional or physical weight or stress of a task, "onerous" often highlights the legal or formal obligations that make a task difficult.
Which one is more common?

Examples of usage
Burdensome- The long commute became burdensome after a few months.
- Taking care of the large estate was burdensome for the family.
- Her responsibilities at work were becoming increasingly burdensome.
- The contract had onerous terms that were difficult to fulfill.
- Managing the legal requirements was an onerous task.
- The government regulations were considered onerous by the small business.