burden

1 a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported the early settlers often used horses to carry their burdens Synonyms burden, cargo, draft, freight, haul, lading, loading, payload, weightRelated Words consignment; boatload, carload, shipload, trainload, truckload, wagonload; ballast, deadweight; overload, surcharge; bale, bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel, shipment; manifest; body, bulk, mass

2 something one must do because of prior agreement the burden of homework prevented the youngster from joining his friends at the game Synonyms burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do [archaic], duty, imperative, incumbency, need, office, responsibilityRelated Words oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word; arrangement, prearrangement, setup; compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust; debt, payment, tribute; compulsion, constraint, restraint; must, requirement; coercion, duress, force; appointment, engagement, reservation; burden, onusNear Antonyms grace, postponement, stay; discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver; loophole; alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often had some trouble coming up with a burden for the song Synonyms burden, refrainRelated Words repeat, response

1 to place a weight or burden on burdened the dog with a little backpack Synonyms load, encumber, freight, lade, laden, lumber, saddle, weightRelated Words clog, clutter, fill, pack; heap, mound, pile, stack; press, weigh; strain, tax; overburden, overload, overtax, surcharge; hamper, handicap; afflict, oppressNear Antonyms alleviate, ease, lighten, relieveAntonyms disburden, discharge, disencumber, unburden, unlade, unload

2 to make sad refuses to let everyday problems burden her Synonyms bum (out), depress, dash, deject, get down, oppress, sadden, weigh downRelated Words ail, distress, trouble; afflict, torment, torture; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dismay, dispirit, get down, unnerve; agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, disturb, exercise, freak (out), perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worryNear Antonyms animate, enliven, invigorate; assure, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe; excite, inspire, stimulate; elate, exhilarate; encourage, hearten; delight, gratify, please; boost, elevate, lift, upliftAntonyms brighten, buoy, cheer (up), gladden, lighten, rejoice