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
Advocates had worried that the CMS rule would add major paperwork burdens to patients, who could have had to provide proof that their conditions prevent them from working. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 The song also brings attention to the burden of separation borne by the wife who remains behind. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
Multiple candidates, including Giannoulias, have already vowed to not raise property taxes, a campaign promise that is popular with Chicago voters who feel tax-burdened. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 But many of the vehicles still lack the cash flow to pay interest and remain burdened with unprofitable public projects, S&P said. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 26 Oct. 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 distance is worth it for travelers who want a budget-friendly hotel that still has loads of style, as prices tend to be significantly lower than downtown hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • If the rate change takes effect in 2027, Barbosa said the center will have to cut its patient load in half, particularly affecting older patients who rely on care close to home.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Such a division of responsibilities could allow Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to concentrate on demanding tasks such as area air defence, missile defence and long-range strike operations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Those of us in public office and those with media platforms have a responsibility to challenge this prejudice, not legitimize it.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • The deep sub-bass line introduced in the first chorus is too low for the buds to reproduce with much volume.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Tones jumps in with the chorus in view, and everything comes together like clockwork.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chorus
Verb
  • All of them are troubled by increasing animosity from their many political adversaries, especially because the series’ big bad, an immortal named Koschei the Deathless, seems to be stirring in mysterious ways.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • May singled out a handful of those wells that especially troubled her team, and oil division deputy director Mike McGinnis suggested that Citation permanently plug them.
    — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of trouble
Noun
  • Once the hulls are complete, teams in the United States will handle reactor assembly, fuel loading, and final integration.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The boot manager is responsible for the initial loading of the OS.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of loading
Noun
  • Someone who initially buys enough insurance to replace income, pay a mortgage and support young children, for example, could reduce the death benefit later as those obligations disappear.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As work and home obligations take up more of your focus, burnout can slowly sap your sense of joy and wonder in everyday life.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of obligation
Verb
  • If there were more imports, cattle prices would be depressed, but the modest uptick has not had an overwhelming impact on the industry.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Jim Crow segregation, discrimination and systemic racism further depressed the Black population’s ability to build wealth that is still largely concentrated among white families.
    — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of depress
Noun
  • The company plans two Chiron missions in 2027, both flying payloads for an undisclosed national security customer.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The spacecraft is designed to make follow-up observations of the asteroids using 12 payloads, providing new insights that will prove valuable for planetary defense efforts.
    — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 3 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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