Definitions
- Describing a task or responsibility that is burdensome and requires a lot of effort. - Referring to a duty or obligation that is difficult to fulfill due to its complexity or time-consuming nature. - Talking about a situation or circumstance that is oppressive or overwhelming in its demands or requirements.
- Referring to a task or activity that requires effort or skill to accomplish. - Describing a situation or circumstance that presents challenges or obstacles to overcome. - Talking about a person or thing that is hard to deal with or manage.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is not easy to do.
- 2Both words can refer to tasks, situations, or circumstances.
- 3Both words suggest a level of challenge or hardship.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Onerous suggests a higher level of difficulty than difficult, implying a greater burden or weight.
- 2Scope: Onerous often refers to a specific task or responsibility, while difficult can apply to a broader range of situations or circumstances.
- 3Connotation: Onerous has a negative connotation, suggesting a sense of oppression or burden, while difficult can be neutral or even positive, implying a sense of challenge or growth.
- 4Usage: Onerous is less commonly used than difficult in everyday language, and is more likely to be found in formal or legal contexts.
Remember this!
Onerous and difficult are synonyms that both describe something that is not easy to do. However, onerous implies a higher level of difficulty and burden, often referring to a specific task or responsibility, while difficult can apply to a broader range of situations or circumstances, and can have a neutral or even positive connotation.
