BURDENSOME Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'burdensome' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of burdensome are exacting , onerous , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: Where would 'exacting' be a reasonable alternative to 'burdensome'?

The words exacting and burdensome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When can 'onerous' be used instead of 'burdensome'?

The words onerous and burdensome can be used in similar contexts, but onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: When could 'oppressive' be used to replace 'burdensome'?

While the synonyms oppressive and burdensome are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

burdensome

adjective

ˈbər-dᵊn-səm

Definition of burdensome next

as in oppressive

difficult to endure the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the burdensome task of finishing the tax return

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective burdensome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of burdensome are exacting, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would exacting be a reasonable alternative to burdensome?

The words exacting and burdensome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When can onerous be used instead of burdensome?

The words onerous and burdensome can be used in similar contexts, but onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace burdensome?

While the synonyms oppressive and burdensome are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of burdensome Preparing for a surge so early may feel burdensome when there’s no surge immediately on the horizon, but my experience has shown that there’s rarely time during a crisis for careful consideration. —

Dennis Dufour, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The other side: Alex Pedersen, a former council member who chaired the city's transportation committee, argued in a statement of opposition that the levy would be financially burdensome, unfair and ineffective. —

Christine Clarridge, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024 The weight-doesn’t-matter mantra lets manufacturers off the hook, giving them carte blanche to keep cranking out burdensome behemoths. —

Dario Digiulio, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024 America’s infrastructure is crumbling under the weight of outdated and burdensome regulations. —

Aaron Szabo, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for burdensome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burdensome

Adjective

By that logic, the Union is the oppressive force, and her movement is the real resistance.

Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Debuting in 2014, Watch Dogs is an action-adventure game immersing players in the world of skilled hackers who use technology to combat oppressive forces controlling major cities across the world.

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024