1
as in load
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported
the early settlers often used horses to carry their burdens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in responsibility
something one must do because of prior agreement
the burden of homework prevented the youngster from joining his friends at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on
burdened the dog with a little backpack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trouble
to make sad
refuses to let everyday problems burden her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burden
Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Two key defensemen in Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov are sidelined, putting more of a burden on Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola to shoulder extra minutes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The ensemble-cum-chorus, burdened with overblown asylum imagery, is sometimes called upon to inject a circus-like atmosphere, complete with acrobatics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burden
Noun
Weight-bearing and high-speed activities, particularly those involving sudden twists and stops, place the greatest burden on the ACL.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Two key defensemen in Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov are sidelined, putting more of a burden on Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola to shoulder extra minutes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
In a media environment burdened by mistrust, the transparency — no matter how absurd — presents an odd kind of sincerity.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The ensemble-cum-chorus, burdened with overblown asylum imagery, is sometimes called upon to inject a circus-like atmosphere, complete with acrobatics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burden
Verb
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Before long, it was loaded up with 100 whistles and placed on the front counter.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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And the two front-runners are loading up.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s nothing more luxurious for a guest than not having to trouble the host with a request for whatever item she’s forgotten.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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Following the success of films like Whiplash and La La Land, the Oscar-winning director has not had troubled attracting top tier talent like Craig, Murphy and Williams to star in his upcoming features.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One 2025 study published in BMC Geriatrics found that older adults who lived somewhere with better indoor air ventilation were less likely to be depressed compared to older adults with less indoor air ventilation.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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Some landowners worry the power lines could cross near their homes and ranches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tuesday’s press conference ended with more questions than answers about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, a development that is concerning to experts who emphasize that the public can be one of law enforcement’s most valuable tools in finding missing persons.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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While the numbers are still being refined, commissioners said the early signs are concerning and highlight growing financial pressure on the county.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
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The resultant impunity means people turn to alternative structures for protection, from vigilantes to the very criminals that oppress them.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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This technique will keep your roots fresh and lock in hydration without making your hair feel weighed down.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Voters are also distressed by the decline in their quality of life, as well as the country’s muddled political landscape – a fact indicated by the twenty candidates for president alone.—
Djenane Villanueva,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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Ecru denim also made an appearance, baggy and distressed for a grittier winter look.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burden. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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