onerous

What does “onerous” mean?

adjective.(of a task, duty, or responsibility) involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome.

SAT Usage

this word commonly appears in passages discussing the burdens of responsibility, such as in legal, environmental, or social contexts. It emphasizes the overwhelming nature of certain obligations, suggesting not just difficulty but a sense of being weighed down, which distinguishes it from similar terms like "challenging" that may not convey the same level of distress or hardship.

Common Confusions

Onerous implies a burdensome and oppressive weight of responsibility, while challenging usually suggests difficulty that may be stimulating or rewarding rather than overwhelming.

Example Sentences

• The task was so onerous that no one wanted to take it.