burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive

burdensome restrictions

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• murderous
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

Choose the Right Synonym for burdensome

onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing hardship.

onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

Examples of burdensome in a Sentence

The responsibility has become burdensome.

the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Recent Examples on the Web

Northwestern Health discusses the various reasons why older adults might not seek help for mental health issues, including fear of losing independence, lack of trust and the desire not to be perceived as burdensome by family or caregivers. —Allison Palmer, Sacramento Bee, 29 May 2024

But the process to waive tuition involved filling out multiple forms that could be burdensome for applicants, officials said. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 29 May 2024

Getting back there, however, will be a burdensome task. —Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024

Retail sales in April were unchanged from March as inflation continued to sting and elevated interest rates made taking on debt more burdensome. —Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbərd-ᵊn-səm 

: so heavy or hard to take as to be a burden

burdensomeness noun