Vocabulary
Onus
English and Urdu gloss, synonyms and antonyms, and example usage from our editorial sentence cache where available.
English meaning
something that is one’s duty or responsibility.
Urdu meaning
ذمہ داری، بوجھ
Example sentences (from Dawn)
Sentences are selected from stored editorial text where your search word appears. If none appear yet, run the admin sentence generator for fuller coverage.
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The UN human rights office has called for `a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack`, placing the onus on the perpetrators.
Dawn Editorials —
Shrouds of innocence
— 2026-03-05
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The need is for an immediate ceasefire and substantive negotiations, with the onus on the Taliban to rein in cross-border attacks on neighbouring states, and end this cycle of violence.
Dawn Editorials —
Afghan hostilities
— 2026-02-28
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Therefore, the onus is on Kabul to put enough pressure on the T TP and other hostile actors to end attacks on Afghanistan`s neighbours.Achieving this would lead to better ties between Afghanistan and these countries.
Dawn Editorials —
Afghan strikes
— 2026-02-24
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The onus, instead, is on the ICC.
Dawn Editorials —
Unfairness in cricket
— 2026-02-03
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Recent statements by Trump put the onus on Hamas rather than both parties to take the next steps.
Dawn Editorials —
Board of contention
— 2026-01-26
Synonyms
burden, liability, responsibility, obligation, weight, duty, load, mantle, charge,
Curator example
“the onus is on you to show that you have suffered loss”
More vocabulary to explore
About this vocabulary section.
These entries support close reading of Dawn editorials and opinion pieces: short definitions,
Urdu equivalents where we have them, word relations, and—when generated—real lines from the editorial archive
so you can see tone and usage.
Common questions
- Do I need to sign up to use this vocabulary page?
- No. Word pages are open to everyone. You can read meanings in English and Urdu, synonyms and antonyms, and example sentences without creating an account.
- Where do the example sentences come from?
- When available, example sentences are drawn from cached matches in our Dawn editorial corpus so you can see how a word is used in real newsroom-style prose.
- How is this different from a dictionary?
- This section is curated for students preparing for competitive exams and editorial reading. Entries are compact, often include Urdu glosses, and are paired with in-context lines from editorials when we have them.
