OVERLOAD Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

overload 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlōd

Definition of overload

as in to load

to fill or load to excess try not to overload your backpack, or you could end up with back problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overload

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overload

Verb

These demands are not likely to ease as football becomes more obsessed with physicality, so, from an Arsenal perspective, the importance of not overloading their right-backs only heightens. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Tiger Chung cofounded the brand Tigerstrolling with his wife and its couture debut was overloaded with imagination and sophisticated funkiness, with dramatic silhouettes made from everyday objects. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

Zipping around Tokyo, Kotlyarenko underlines the of-the-moment-ness of his scenario at every turn, but the film is a surprisingly slow ride despite the overload. — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 The live arrangement replaces the quiet with an overload of bass and percussion. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overload

Verb

Later in the inning, Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia walked in the tying run (credited to starter Tyler Glasnow for having initially loaded the bases).

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Storyteller experiments with some next-generation convertible furniture designs to make the new van even more versatile and better equipped for loading up gear.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of load

Noun

The Coast Guard then escorted the Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy inspection team confirmed large quantities of fuel in the ship’s ballast tanks.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
These deals offer partnerships, a ballast in a fractured world.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ballast

Verb

Northeast Kansas City residents have expressed concerns about lack of community feedback and concentrating homeless services in certain areas, potentially overburdening a few neighborhoods rather than spreading services out more throughout the city.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Even when Murray is available — which was almost every game last year — Adelman’s goal is not to overburden the star guard.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of overburden

Noun

The San Francisco Fed noted another manufacturer’s complaint that every material purchased in recent weeks came with a freight surcharge.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Maersk raised its emergency fuel surcharge to 20 percent effective Monday due to the soaring energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict, Reuters reported.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of surcharge

Verb

Miami stopped on fourth down again Canes stuffed on fourth down for a second consecutive drive.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
On the first play, the Jayhawks stuffed Joe Jackson — on his eighth straight rushing attempt — from the 1 on fourth down, leaving Kansas State’s lead at 25-24.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stuff

Noun

AfterShip Agent catches shipment exceptions early and groups them by carrier and issue.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
According to Colombian police accounts cited by El Tiempo, Pulido coordinated the shipment of approximately two tons of cocaine and 17 kilograms of heroin to Europe in 1999.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of shipment

Noun

At the next checkpoint, however, soldiers pulled back the bales to reveal the Cadillac and the Ram.

— Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Later in the podcast, the NFL star siblings reacted to a fan’s homemade Halloween decoration, which rendered bales of hay into models of Travis and his 14-time Grammy-winning wife.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of bale

Browse Nearby Words

overlies

overload

overloaded

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Overload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overload. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overload

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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