Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
ONEROUS
a. Straightforward
b. Easy
c. Complex
d. Plain

Answer 1

Hint: Something which is onerous means it is very difficult or troublesome to be carried out. For example, Not attending classes made his homework look onerous to him.

Complete answer:
We will evaluate each option to see which is the appropriate opposite.
Option a: Straightforward means to be uncomplicated. However, it is not directly opposite to the given word, onerous. Therefore, it is not the correct option.
Option b: If onerous means something which is difficult, the word easy seems to be an appropriate opposite of it. The opposite of difficult is easy. Therefore, the appropriate opposite of onerous is easy.
Option c: Something which is complex is not easy to understand. It is complicated. If a problem is complex, it is difficult to solve. Therefore, it is a word which is similar to the given word, onerous. The question is asking for an opposite word and not for a similar word.
Option d: Plain means simple. She wore a plain dress. Something plain cannot mean to be opposite of something which is difficult, thus, it is not the opposite of onerous.

Note: Students can get confused between the words straightforward and easy. Keep in mind that anything which is straightforward, need not be necessarily easy. The word straightforward can also be applied to the way a person talks. In that case, we cannot even use it as a word which is similar to ‘easy’. However, something which is easy is definitely not difficult. Thus, it is the appropriate opposite of the word onerous.