List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 58

SYNONYMS: burdensome, onerous, oppressive, arduous, demanding, rigorous, exacting.
These adjectives all apply to what imposes a severe test of bodily or spiritual strength.

Burdensome is associated with both mental and physical hardship: The burdensome task of preparing her income tax return awaited her.
Onerous adds to burdensome the connotation of the figuratively heavy load imposed by something irksome or annoying: My duties weren't onerous; I only had to greet the guests.
Something oppressive weighs one down in body or spirit, as by subjection to an overpowering natural influence or to the harsh or unjust exercise of power: oppressive humidity. Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive that they must be thrown off.
Arduous emphasizes the expenditure of sustained and often exhausting labor: Learning a new role is a long and arduous undertaking.
Demanding, rigorous, and exacting imply the imposition of severe and uncompromising demands: Music is a demanding art. He made a rigorous defense of the accused. Making a petit point pillow is exacting work.