burdensome

adjective

bur·​den·​some ˈbər-dᵊn-səm How to pronounce burdensome (audio)
: imposing or constituting a burden : oppressive
burdensome restrictions
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
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.
Talking about reining in burdensome regulations, and that may be completely genuine. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 In order to speed up rebuilding efforts from the devastating wildfires earlier this year, Newsom has slashed California’s burdensome environmental and zoning regulations. Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025 Catch up quick: Carr has long criticized the FCC's burdensome regulations and argued many of them are outdated, especially ones around station ownership limits. Tim Baysinger, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 Although filling out the necessary document is less burdensome than many people assume, doing so requires speaking with family and friends to determine who understands your wishes and who would be willing to act as your health care agent. Anisah Bagasra, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for burdensome

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of burdensome was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burdensome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burdensome. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

burdensome

adjective
bur·​den·​some ˈbərd-ᵊn-səm How to pronounce burdensome (audio)
: so heavy or hard to take as to be a burden
burdensomeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on burdensome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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