onus
Yours to bear
Onus is a burden of responsibility or obligation, particularly the duty to prove something or take action.
The phrase onus of proof (or burden of proof) appears frequently in legal contexts, but onus applies broadly: The onus is on the employer to provide a safe workplace.
The word carries a sense of weight or pressure that falls specifically on someone.
Required moral task
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- requirementMandatory condition to fulfill
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
charge · imperative · necessity · compulsion · accountability · undertaking · expectation · demand
Measure of heaviness
- loadCarried weight or burden
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- strainExcessive stretching force
- pressureForce upon contact
heaviness · millstone · albatross · yoke · cross · imposition · hardship · toll
Imperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
condemnation · censure · criticism · imputation · stigma · shame · disgrace · discredit
Obligation for one's actions
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
- tortActionable civil harm
damages · compensation · breach · penalty · litigation · malpractice · settlement · restitution
Facts supporting truth
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- verificationProving something accurate
- substantiationProof of truth
- justificationReason proving rightness
argumentation · defense · case · showing · establishment · documentation · corroboration · testimony
duty
Required moral task
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- requirementMandatory condition to fulfill
mandate · charge · imperative · necessity · compulsion · accountability · undertaking · expectation · demand · stipulation
weight
Measure of heaviness
- loadCarried weight or burden
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- strainExcessive stretching force
pressure · heaviness · millstone · albatross · yoke · cross · imposition · hardship · toll · drag
fault
Imperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- reproachExpression of disappointment
accusation · condemnation · censure · criticism · imputation · stigma · shame · disgrace · discredit · allegation
accountability
Obligation for one's actions
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
tort · damages · compensation · breach · penalty · litigation · malpractice · settlement · restitution · exposure
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- verificationProving something accurate
- substantiationProof of truth
justification · argumentation · defense · case · showing · establishment · documentation · corroboration · testimony
- Blameblame, fault, culprit, accusation, guilt-tripping
- burdensburden, load, obligations, weight, encumbrance
- legal proofburden of proof, standard of proof, reasonable doubt, beyond reasonable doubt, clear and convincing