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Definitions

onus

[oh-nuhs] / ˈoʊ nəs /
NOUN
burden
Synonyms
STRONG
blame blot blur brand charge culpability duty encumbrance fault guilt incubus liability load millstone obligation odium oppression responsibility slur spot stain stigma task tax weight
WEAK
bar sinister black eye deadweight
Antonyms
STRONG
advantage benefit blank blessing exculpation exoneration irresponsibility praise
WEAK
aid help

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The onus is 100% on us to say: here is the value of being here,” said Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a professor of computer sciences at University of Wisconsin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The defense put the onus for the violence on Crook.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Everton boss David Moyes feels the onus has to be on the referees.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

The significantly sweetened bid from Paramount put the onus on Netflix to either raise its bid of $27.75 per share for Warner’s studio and streaming businesses but it opted to walk away instead.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

“Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward. Signior Eduardo, are you in voice to-night?”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.