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
Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
If an action is taken by a single individual, the entire prison population wears that burden in the shape of lockdowns, continued separation, loss of programming, and a reconstruction of prison policy that will further impede humans from gaining agency towards their own transformation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Following the 2008 recession, the company was burdened by high real estate costs and struggling to keep up with changing ways of shopping.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burden
Noun
Gertler and Joseph Kabila were separated by only two years, and both men carried the burden of their family legacies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
If an action is taken by a single individual, the entire prison population wears that burden in the shape of lockdowns, continued separation, loss of programming, and a reconstruction of prison policy that will further impede humans from gaining agency towards their own transformation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Sharks have been careful not to burden the 19-year-old with a lot of game-changing situational play, scratching him at times early on and mostly limiting his usage to third-pairing work at five-on-five.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Following the 2008 recession, the company was burdened by high real estate costs and struggling to keep up with changing ways of shopping.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burden
Verb
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Find a public parking spot, load up your beach day essentials, and prepare to soak up all the wonders of the surf, sun, and sand.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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The Hurricanes loaded the bases, and Braylan West drove in two runs with a go-ahead double.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Bird was troubled in Bloomington from the start.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
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In 2025, officials were troubled by a rise in homicides despite significant decreases in other crimes.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Goldschmidt wasn’t sure about Witt’s power, thinking it might be depressed at Kauffman Stadium.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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For all the inherent sadness of its subject matter, Mouse is never depressing, thanks to the delicacy of O’Sullivan and Thompson’s filmmaking.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to worry over exposure to toxins in food and drinking water, more than 60% of American adults are also very or somewhat concerned about chemicals that industry uses in children’s toys and baby products, food packaging, and personal care products such as makeup, the Pew survey found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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With nine Democrats in the field, party leaders worry that two Republican candidates could advance to November’s general election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Council also approved a resolution adopting a social media policy concerning comments posted on the town’s Facebook page.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Yet, still, the president’s comments have concerned elections officials on both sides of the aisle.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Often employing caricature, distortion and symbolism to communicate anxiety and resistance, his works are personal and political, offering a critique of the systems that oppress people of color.—
Evan Nicole Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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She was oppressed by his big shadow.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And, despite their inherent plushness, the towels don’t feel weighed down after use.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2026
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Several shoppers with especially fine hair rave about how the spray doesn’t weigh down their fine strands as many other hair care products do.—
Claire West,
Parents,
26 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 1 Mar. 2026.
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