Synonyms of onus

onus

noun

ˈō-nəs 

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

• stain
• stigma
• taint
• guilt
• blot
• shame
• smudge
• spot
• slur
• brand
• disgrace
• discredit
• smirch
• disrepute
• ignominy
• odium
• dishonor
• infamy
• opprobrium
• black eye
• reproach
• obloquy
• sin
• disesteem
• vice
• immorality
• corruption
• iniquity
• licentiousness
• depravity
• debauchery
• unscrupulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credit
• right
• award
• honor
• purity
• modesty
• legitimacy
• good
• chastity
• integrity
• honesty
• stainlessness
• probity
• goodness
• rectitude
• righteousness
• uprightness
• chasteness
• glory
• repute
• scrupulousness
• fame
• renown
• virtuousness

2

as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure

he perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blame
• guilt
• culpability
• fault
• rap
• accusation
• complicity
• condemnation
• blameworthiness
• censure
• sinfulness
• denunciation
• regret
• shame
• guiltiness
• remorse
• finger-pointing
• reproach
• self-reproach

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocence
• blamelessness
• guiltlessness
• faultlessness

Examples of onus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The onus is now going to be on others to step up in their stead. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

McCaffrey’s bout with Achilles tendinitis puts the onus again on Mason, whose encore won’t catch anyone off guard, not after his 28 carries produced 147 yards and a touchdown. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024

And then puts the onus back on producers to react in kind and up the ante. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2024

The onus now falls on LA28 organizers to continue building on what Paris has achieved. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024

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