An onerous or difficult concern.

synonyms: burden, encumbrance, incumbrance, load.

Roget 706: prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage; embolus, embolism [Med.]; infarct [Med.]; interruption, interception, interclusion^†; hindrance, impedition^†; retardment^†, retardation; embarrassment, oppilation^†; coarctation^†, stricture, restriction; restraint etc. 751; inhibition etc. 761; blockade etc. (closure) 261.    interference, interposition; obtrusion; discouragement, discountenance.    impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag^†; check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil.    bar, stile, barrier; [barrier to vehicles] turnstile, turnpike; gate, portcullis.    beaver dam; trocha^†; barricade etc. (defense) 717; wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne^†; bulkhead, block, buffer; stopper etc. 263; boom, dam, weir, burrock^†.    drawback, objection; stumbling-block, stumbling-stone; lion in the path, snag; snags and sawyers.    encumbrance, incumbrance^†; clog, skid, shoe, spoke; drag, drag chain, drag weight; stay, stop; preventive, prophylactic; load, burden, fardel^†, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta; dead weight; lumber, pack; nightmare, Ephialtes^†, incubus, old man of the sea; remora.    difficulty etc. 704; insuperable etc. 471; obstacle; estoppel [Law]; ill wind; head wind etc. (opposition) 708; trammel, tether etc. (means of restraint) 752; hold back, counterpoise.    [person who hinders] damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy; party pooper [Coll.]; party crasher, interloper.    trail of a red herring; opponent etc. 710.    ... show more

Roget 926: duty, what ought to be done, moral obligation, accountableness^†, liability, onus, responsibility; bounden duty, imperative duty; call, call of duty; accountability.    allegiance, fealty, tie engagement etc. (promise) 768; part; function, calling etc. (business) 625.    morality, morals, decalogue; case of conscience; conscientiousness etc. (probity) 939; conscience, inward monitor, still small voice within, sense of duty, tender conscience, superego; the hell within [Paradise Lost]. dueness etc. 924; propriety, fitness, seemliness, amenability, decorum, to prepon; the thing, the proper thing; the right thing to do, the proper thing to do.    [Science of morals] ethics, ethology.   ; deontology^†, aretology^†; moral philosophy, ethical philosophy; casuistry, polity.    observance, fulfillment, discharge, performance, acquittal, satisfaction, redemption; good behavior.    ... show more

Dutch: plicht, bewijslast, belasting, drang, druk, last, zwaarte