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Definition of "onus" []

  • A difficult or disagreeable responsibility or necessity; a burden or obligation. (noun)
  • A stigma. (noun)
  • Blame. (noun)
  • The burden of proof: The onus was on the defense attorney. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "onus" in a sentence
  • "In this model, the onus is then on the author to make their work so compelling that the new reader can't wait to scour the used book market for other novels and will * have* to buy new."
  • "Now the onus is now on each person to lead the transformation in our workplaces and communities."
  • "The onus is still on the job seeker to network like mad, be at-the-ready for opportunities, and be the well packaged, articulate job candidate at all times."