Synonyms of burdensome

burdensome

adjective

ˈbər-dᵊn-səm 

1

as in oppressive

difficult to endure

the burdensome living conditions that the early settlers had to endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oppressive
• harsh
• tough
• searing
• hard
• severe
• brutal
• rough
• onerous
• cruel
• heavy
• trying
• painful
• grim
• grievous
• excruciating
• inhuman
• bitter
• murderous
• rugged
• bleak
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• unbearable
• strict
• unpleasant
• rigorous
• stringent
• forbidding
• hardhanded
• overwhelming
• inhospitable
• austere
• discomforting
• spartan
• bad
• agonizing
• crushing
• comfortless
• intolerable
• intemperate
• inclement
• insupportable
• biting
• tortuous
• hostile
• insufferable
• unendurable
• disagreeable
• wretched
• wild
• heartbreaking
• grinding
• unfriendly
• heartrending
• harrowing
• wearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• light
• soft
• comfortable
• pleasant
• luxurious
• agreeable
• friendly
• cozy
• hospitable
• peaceful
• genial
• tolerable
• restful
• relaxing
• bearable
• painless
• moderate
• mild
• gentle
• snug
• calm
• temperate
• endurable
• balmy
• reposeful
• clement

2

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

the burdensome task of finishing the tax return

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• demanding
• onerous
• arduous
• laborious
• tough
• hard
• exacting
• taxing
• grueling
• toilsome
• killing
• formidable
• strenuous
• oppressive
• persnickety
• testing
• rigorous
• stringent
• stiff
• strict
• severe
• herculean
• rigid
• rugged
• rough
• trying
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• simple
• unchallenging
• smooth
• nondemanding
• effortless
• facile

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of burdensome

While Massachusetts clearly cannot afford more burdensome regulations that will drive businesses out of the state, if taxpayers are being asked to shoulder massive new climate costs the public should at least be able to trust that the laws already on the books are being followed. —Paul Diego Craney, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Winning has often been a burdensome enterprise for the Nuggets over the last few weeks. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026

And for many Americans, an extra 25 cents for gasoline is really burdensome. —Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

Support for the plan generally came from industry and regulatory reform groups who said the vehicle standards that rest on the endangerment finding are costly and unduly burdensome. —Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026