onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.
the onerous task of cleaning up the mess
burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.
burdensome responsibilities
oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.
the oppressive tyranny of a police state
exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.
an exacting employer
Example Sentences
The country is ruled by an oppressive regime. I think these laws are oppressive. This region suffers from oppressive heat in the summer months. The situation was extremely tense; no one said a word, and the silence was oppressive.
Recent Examples on the WebWhile some states aren't typically known for oppressive heat, experts say they should be prepared for the realities of a changing climate. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2022 Forecasts show the oppressive heat across much of the West is expected to last through at least Friday. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 The oppressive heat will last through midweek, with an excessive- heat warning for interior bay and valley locations in effect through Thursday. Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 The red helmets — perhaps the best-looking lids in college football — and the black jerseys — a questionable choice given the oppressive 100-degree heat — provided a sense of familiarity as the Aztecs emerged from the midfield tunnel for the game.San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 Whoever missed the game was spared not only oppressive heat that reached 100 degrees but also some maddening football. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2022 Subsistence farming and livestock make up Niger’s economy, with 80 percent of the population living in poverty, in part because of massive deforestation and oppressive heat from climate change. Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2022 Look for more oppressive heat and humidity today in southwest Alabama, where a heat advisory will be in effect for the second straight day. Leigh Morgan, al, 17 Aug. 2022 The United States has coped with oppressive heat the past few weeks. Monica Garrett, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French oppressif, borrowed from Medieval Latin oppressīvus, from Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere "to press on, stifle, overpower" + -īvus-ive — more at oppress