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

Hood and others see this as not just an attempt to right-size environmental rules that had become unnecessarily burdensome, but a massive chipping away at environmental safeguards that kept our public lands and waters relatively intact. —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026

In September, hemp businesses collected signatures to repeal the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana and replace it with regulations that are no more burdensome than regulations for alcohol and tobacco. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

In fact, it is quite often seen by local decision makers as costly and burdensome, or in any case failing to generate revenue. —Russell Hancock, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026

Kicking back against State Farm’s claim that the discovery order was burdensome, the AG’s petition noted that State Farm, which announced a recent valuation of $170 billion with $25 billion in growth over the last year, was a big enough company to handle any discovery order. —J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026