en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Comparing the load: unpacking "burdensome" vs. "onerous"

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 19/10/2024, 11:49
English.me team member
Burdensome and onerous. What's the difference?

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?

Internet search results for burdensome) and onerous

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.
Onerous
  • 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.

Recommended posts in Difference

"Freight" vs. "shipment": a linguistic journey through cargo terms

"Freight" vs. "shipment": a linguistic journey through cargo terms

The term "freight" typically refers to the goods themselves, especially ... Learn more →

"Shocking" vs. "astounding": a surprising comparison

"Shocking" vs. "astounding": a surprising comparison

"Shocking" typically implies something disturbing, upsetting, or morally outraging, whereas ... Learn more →

"Alacrity" vs. "swiftness": more than speed

"Alacrity" vs. "swiftness": more than speed

"Alacrity" typically emphasizes eagerness or cheerful readiness, while "swiftness" focuses ... Learn more →

Exploring the dynamic duo: "automatic" vs "automated"

Exploring the dynamic duo: "automatic" vs "automated"

The word "automatic" often describes something that operates independently by ... Learn more →