1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of onus
An onus is on the quarterback to handle the verbiage, pre-snap adjustments and option routes.
—
Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If the goal is to win the constructors' championship, then the onus is on the designers to create a car that will bring home the maximum points from both cars, not just one.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
Though long COVID is now more recognized in the medical fields, the onus is still on the patient to find doctors who will listen.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
The law was designed to shift the financial onus of waste reduction from the state’s people, towns and cities to the companies and corporations that make the polluting products.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If the goal is to win the constructors' championship, then the onus is on the designers to create a car that will bring home the maximum points from both cars, not just one.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
Though long COVID is now more recognized in the medical fields, the onus is still on the patient to find doctors who will listen.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
The law was designed to shift the financial onus of waste reduction from the state’s people, towns and cities to the companies and corporations that make the polluting products.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for onus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for onus
Noun
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Dorai Home Dish Pad – Quick-Dry Diatomite Stone Drying Mat for Kitchen Counter Compressed diatomaceous earth will also hold onto stains, which makes sense given the fact that its job is to absorb moisture.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 June 2025
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Many of the vessels were sunk in very deep water, and a reconnaissance mission would require a significant amount of time and funds, by which point the more than 80-year-old wrecks could be little more than rust stains on the seafloor.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
Noun
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So is the solution to simply shift blame from the individual back onto the industrial sector, particularly agribusiness and the fossil fuel companies?—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 June 2025
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Politicians reap campaign contributions and avoid blame through delegation, diffusion and plausible deniability.—
Zachary W. Schulz,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
Noun
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This stigma can harm your professional reputation and lead colleagues to question your market value.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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Is one of the goals of the doc to break the stigma around autism?—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
11 June 2025
Noun
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As their father, Ruffalo’s charm belies a chasm of guilt, which is at the root of all that Hal & Harper is trying to uncover.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
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An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 36-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on a charge of criminal trespass to a vehicle at 1:01 p.m. May 29 at the police station, 1350 Aurora Ave.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
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In his podcast on The Daily Wire this week, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro cited the taint of the jet deal and called on his listeners to honestly consider its implications.—
Howard LaFranchi,
Christian Science Monitor,
15 May 2025
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Chapter 7 Delaware Bay Water that Americans rely on for drinking and irrigation under threat from taint of saltwater Between New Jersey and Delaware, the river gives way to the Delaware Bay, where the water is salty.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Using a slotted spoon, transfer poached eggs to a paper-towel lined plate; blot dry.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
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Vietnam is a wound for many Americans: a bloody quagmire, a blot on our conscience, a war that claimed more than 58,000 American lives and shattered faith at home in the good intentions of the government.—
Leo Tran,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2025
Noun
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She’s also never been afraid to use the power of shame.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
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Asking Eric: Hoarder’s friend wants to help but doesn’t want to risk causing shame Taylor Swift granted restraining order against Colorado man accused of stalking Real Estate The housing market was supposed to recover this year.—
Denver Post,
Denver Post,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Onus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onus. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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