overburden

1 of 2

verb

over·​bur·​den ˌō-vər-ˈbər-dᵊn 

overburdened; overburdening; overburdens

transitive verb

: to place an excessive burden on

overburden

2 of 2

noun

over·​bur·​den ˈō-vər-ˌbər-dᵊn 

: material overlying a deposit of useful geologic materials or bedrock

Synonyms of overburden

Verb

• overload
• load
• burden

Examples of overburden in a Sentence

Verb

She overburdened me with work.

Why overburden yourself when people are offering to help?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As populations age, healthcare systems become overburdened, and governments fail to sufficiently expand or change those systems, preventing preventable diseases is more vital than ever. — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026

The property tax has long been Connecticut’s Gordian knot, a seemingly intractable problem that overburdens middle- and low-income households, stymies business growth and creates great K-12 education disparities between cities and suburbs. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Noun

So, Connecticut relies heavily on a property tax — that its reports say overburdens working households — to fund most municipal expenses. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

This allows for additional overburden in the form of rock, soil or concrete. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1532, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overburden

• burden
• unburden