burdensome
UK: ˈbɜːdnsəm | US: ˈbɜːrdnsəm
adj. causing difficulty or hardship; oppressive
adj. excessively heavy or demanding
The word "burdensome" combines "burden," derived from Old English byrthen (meaning "a load or weight"), with the suffix "-some," from Old English -sum (indicating "tending to" or "characterized by"). The suffix "-some" is commonly used to form adjectives describing qualities (e.g., "troublesome," "quarrelsome"). Over time, "burdensome" evolved to describe anything physically or metaphorically heavy or oppressive, retaining the core idea of a burdensome load.
The new regulations placed a burdensome responsibility on small businesses.
Carrying the heavy boxes upstairs felt burdensome after a long day.
The paperwork was so burdensome that many applicants gave up.
She found the emotional weight of the secret increasingly burdensome.
The king’s burdensome taxes led to widespread discontent.