burden 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbər-dᵊn How to pronounce burden (audio)
Definition of burdennext
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

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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

burden

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in chorus
a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often had some trouble coming up with a burden for the song

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burden

3 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 burden
Noun
With the amount of firepower that Geneva graduated from last year’s lineup, senior forward Gabe Barwiolek knew the burden to score was going to fall upon his shoulders. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Experts warn that fewer big donors—or big donors giving less—would place a larger burden on middle-class givers to bridge a gap that isn’t realistic as financial pressures for less-wealthy households increase. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
In Manhattan, a household would need to earn about $199,800 a year to avoid being considered rent-burdened based on StreetEasy’s median rents for July 2026. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 In most states, the defense has to prove a lack of criminal responsibility, but Massachusetts shifts that burden onto the prosecution. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burden
  1. load
  2. responsibility
  3. chorus
  4. trouble
  5. loading
  6. obligation
  7. depress
  8. payload
Noun
  • The team stopped at 800 N because increasing the load further would require additional protective equipment, with a separate destructive limit test planned.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Handle one visible fix, share one responsibility, or set up tomorrow’s essentials.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • The swaggering track, which sees the artists joining voices on the chorus, will get an official music video later today.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Styles went on to play two verses and choruses of the song, originally released in 1974, and told the crowd to sing along on the first chorus.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of chorus
Verb
  • Commissioner Patricia O’Brien said that while she was troubled by the errors that led to the situation, ultimately the commission needed to be realistic.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Von Neumann himself helped develop it as a potential remedy for some logical inconsistencies with Hilbert space that troubled him.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of trouble
Noun
  • In fact, trade intelligence firm Kpler said Iran’s August crude export loadings have collapsed more than 80% compared to a year ago.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran's crude loadings are down about 70% in August from 893,000 bpd last month.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of loading
Noun
  • The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
    — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This is not just diversity as a social obligation but also diversity of expertise that maps to where your company is actually going.
    — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of obligation
Verb
  • Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout told the Statesman that over the years there has been frustration in the industry with Canada over dairy regulations and trade policies depressing world market prices.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This risk is increased markedly when buprenorphine is combined with other substances that depress the central nervous system, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain sedating medications.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of depress
Noun
  • The new system allows the drone to release supplies while hovering, drop payloads during forward flight, or land and unload cargo autonomously, eliminating the need for personnel or dedicated equipment at the receiving site.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Technological advances have already made drones cheaply and readily available for purchase, with longer ranges, higher payloads, and an improved ability to evade electronic warfare.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of payload

Browse Nearby Words

burbling
burden
burdened
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Cite this Entry

“Burden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burden. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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