onerous

Onerous is an adjective describing something that imposes a burden, hardship, or is otherwise oppressive or difficult to endure. It can refer to duties, obligations, tasks, or conditions that require significant effort, time, or resources, often with an implication of unfairness or excessive burden on the party involved. In legal contexts, an onerous contract or obligation is one that imposes burdens or duties on one party, typically in contrast to gratuitous or voluntary arrangements. The term can also describe requirements that are disproportionately onerous relative to the benefit received.

Etymology: Onerous derives from the Latin onerosus, meaning burdensome, from onus or onus “burden.” It entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French or directly from Latin. The sense has remained closely tied to physical or figurative heaviness or burden.

Usage: In everyday language, people speak of onerous tasks such as long, repetitive paperwork, or onerous regulatory requirements. In law, it is used to characterize contracts or obligations that are onerous for one party, requiring substantial performance, consideration, or concession from that party.

Related terms and contrasts: Related terms include burden, onerousness (the state of being onerous), and burdensome or oppressive. In legal contrasts, onerous obligations are typically weighed against gratuitous or voluntary obligations, which involve no consideration or burden.