# burdensome

/ˈbɝdənsəm/ (US) · /bˈɜːdənsˌʌm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/burdensome
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

causing a lot of worry, trouble, or physical weight. You use this to describe things that are hard to carry or hard to deal with.

For teachers: causing a heavy load or a significant amount of worry and trouble. Often used to describe legal obligations, physical weights, or administrative tasks.

## Examples

- The new tax laws are burdensome for small businesses.
- The heavy backpack became burdensome after hours of hiking through the mountain trail.
- The legal team argued that the proposed regulations would be burdensome for local farmers, potentially stifling the industry's growth and innovation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.