ONUS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

onus

noun

ˈō-nəs

Definition of onus

as in stain

a mark of guilt or disgrace hoping to avoid the onus of failure by lowering expectations ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure he perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 onus That puts the onus on buyers and sellers to perform their own due diligence. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 What’s worse, the law put the onus on them to ask to be silenced. — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 Having Pugh playing a character who is, by her very nature, hesitant to reveal her truth is an interesting choice that puts the onus on everybody around her who doesn’t recognize what is so obvious to viewers. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026 The city is already facing an earlier lawsuit over its rollout of the tax from a group of homeowners who contend that City Hall didn't do enough to determine who would pay the tax and instead put the onus on homeowners to figure it out. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus

Noun

But whiffing like that gave his credibility a permanent stain.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Covers shield upholstery from coffee spills, food stains, pet accidents and everyday messes.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of stain

Noun

Children’s Mercy didn’t explicitly lay the blame on a failure to expand Medicaid or the expiration of premium tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

— Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
He has been sacked 17 times in six games, but the blame really should be on the coach for having a poor game plan.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

The stigma of a record impedes their ability to get a job, leaving them unable to afford market-rate housing at a time when affordable housing is already limited.

— Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The schoolwide free lunch program stops meal debt from accumulating, reduces stigma associated with public benefits, and removes the need to collect and verify meal applications for four years — reducing the paperwork burden on families and schools.

— Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of stigma

Noun

But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
As Fielder’s initially firm belief in Holmes’ guilt and manipulative powers appears to waver, Seyfried wonders if Fielder is in some way falling for her.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

The company has previously harvested grapes that could not be made into wine following wildfire smoke-taint, including from Cates’ own vineyard.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of taint

Noun

Remove the wings from the refrigerator and blot away any visible moisture with paper towels.

— Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel Act+Acre’s popular flat towel comes with instructions for a specific technique —blot and squeeze, no rubbing.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of blot

Noun

She is obsessed with her closet, the organization of which puts even Kim to shame.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

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“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of onus

noun

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