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Onus vs Responsibility - What's the difference?

onus | responsibility |

As nouns the difference between onus and responsibility

is that onus is a legal obligation while responsibility is the state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.

onus

English

Noun

  • A legal obligation.
    • The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.
  • (uncountable) Burden of proof, onus probandi
    • The onus is on those who disagree with my proposal to explain why.
  • Stigma.
  • *
  • Blame.
  • *
  • Responsibility; burden.
  • *

    • Related terms

    * exonerate * exoneration * onerous * onus probandi

    Anagrams

    * ----

    responsibility

    English

    Noun

    (responsibilities)
  • The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.
    • Responsibility is a heavy burden.
  • A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.
    • Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility !
    The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world -
  • (military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
  • (military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).

    • Synonyms

    * responsibleness

    Related terms

    * respond * response * responsible * responsibly

    See also

    * accountability

    References

    * * * Feltus, C.; Petit, M. (2009). "Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment", Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security'', Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE ), Fukuoka, 2009. ''Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment