overload 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlōd How to pronounce overload (audio)
Definition of overloadnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overload

2 of 2

noun

as in ballast

Related Words

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
Semafor reported that Spotify's leadership believes some podcast companies overload their shows with ads — and Podnews recently documented shows opening with more than eight minutes of pre-roll. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The sound can feel dense, but never overloaded — and there are certainly no obvious sops to commerciality here. — Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
Cost, stress, and information overload can get in the way, making trusted guidance more important than ever. — Christa Sgobba, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026 Where Gen Z seems to go along as an antidote to digital overload, the same hobbies are the only retirement lifestyle that many can afford. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overload
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overload
  1. load
  2. ballast
  3. overburden
  4. surcharge
  5. stuff
  6. package
  7. shipment
  8. bale
Verb
  • Similarly, loading up the XI for the opener away to Fulham with players who have enjoyed the benefits of a full pre-season makes sense, too.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Singles by Trout, Nolan Schanuel and Vaughn Grissom loaded the bases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Because radiation shielding adds significant weight to one spot, engineers must adjust the ship’s overall balance and ballast systems.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
  • First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of ballast
Verb
  • The former Florida Gator will help the Panthers get through training camp and through their next three preseason games without overburdening backup Kenny Pickett and starter Bryce Young.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Fuel supply risks Adding nuclear battleships to the US defense load directly risks the AUKUS partnership by overburdening key industrial assets.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Definition of overburden
Noun
  • That equates to a little more than a $16 monthly surcharge for the average homeowner or renter.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The city sent letters to around 17,000 individuals who’d been identified as second-homeowners subject to the surcharge.
    — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of surcharge
Verb
  • On October 1, Netflix will premiere Kazan’s sweeping adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel, an eminently readable doorstop stuffed with a variety of weighty themes.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sisters stuffed envelopes with flyers marketing tours, and traveled with their parents on scouting trips.
    — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of stuff
Noun
  • Rather than keeping moisturizing and glow-boosting formulas confined to your bathroom shelf, the brand packages many of them in swipe-and-go formats made for skin care anywhere, anytime.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Boards routinely commit millions of dollars to CEOs and other senior leaders through salary, equity, long-term incentive plans, retention packages, and other forms of executive compensation.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of package
Noun
  • The final-mile carrier then handles what is essentially a local shipment, rather than transporting the package across the country itself.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Assuming the campaign reaches its goal on Kickstarter, shipment is planned for October.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shipment
Noun
  • There were no revisions exceeding 100,000 bales among importing or exporting countries for 2026/27.
    — SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 28 July 2026
  • Insist on real-time visibility before automation, on plant-wide telemetry before line-level robots and on outcomes measured in recovered tons and bale quality—not in machine uptime.
    — R. Paul Singh, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of bale

Browse Nearby Words

overlies
overload
overloaded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overload. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on overload

Nglish: Translation of overload for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All