1
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
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2
as in to relieve
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a generous friend unburdened her of that particular financial worry
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Recent Examples of unburden
One of the billionaire V.C.’s favorite books was 1997’s The Sovereign Individual, which encourages elites to unburden themselves from nationhood through foreign citizenship.
—
Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
This week is an invitation to unburden, reflect, and reclaim your energy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025
Nowadays, the market is replete with accordion-style fans: confirming that, while their spinning counterparts might unburden your wrist, nothing ever beats the dramatic flair.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Musk’s social media unburdening this week certainly wasn’t helpful to the cause.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
This week is an invitation to unburden, reflect, and reclaim your energy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025
Nowadays, the market is replete with accordion-style fans: confirming that, while their spinning counterparts might unburden your wrist, nothing ever beats the dramatic flair.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Musk’s social media unburdening this week certainly wasn’t helpful to the cause.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburden
Verb
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Glabe’s sales follow those of board member Eric Swider, who has also sharply reduced his holdings, unloading around 165,000 shares since November.—
Zach Everson,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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From there, the product would be unloaded, securely packaged, and transported to the cartel’s stateside distributors.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More viscous than your average face mist, the milky formula is laced with ceramides and lipids to relieve tight, thirsty skin and refresh dull, dry-looking makeup without so much as a flush or a tingle.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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You may be relieved to know that this book does not involve a gigantic replica of anyone’s birth canal.—
Jamie Harrow,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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