What describes something that is burdensome and involves hardship?

The term "onerous" specifically refers to something that is burdensome and involves hardship. It often describes tasks, duties, or responsibilities that are not only heavy or difficult to carry out but can also bring a sense of stress or discomfort due to their demanding nature. Understanding this word in context is key; for instance, an onerous obligation might be one that requires significant time, effort, or emotional energy, making it heavy for the person who bears it.

The other terms have different meanings that do not convey the same sense of burden. "Tawdry" refers to something that is showy but of bad quality, typically not associated with hardship. "Scant" means inadequate or insufficient, lacking in quantity, rather than directly implying difficulty. "Unequivocal" refers to something that is clear and unambiguous, which does not relate to the concept of burden or hardship at all.