Synonyms of burden

burden 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbər-dᵊn 

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

• load
• loading
• payload
• cargo
• weight
• freight
• haul
• lading
• draft
• shipment
• overload
• deadweight
• ballast
• carload
• surcharge
• consignment
• pack
• package
• bale
• bulk
• bundle
• truckload
• boatload
• trainload
• wagonload
• manifest
• shipload
• parcel
• packet
• mass
• body

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

• responsibility
• obligation
• duty
• need
• promise
• commitment
• vow
• requirement
• constraint
• office
• imperative
• pledge
• charge
• do
• pact
• devoir
• incumbency
• payment
• debt
• oath
• contract
• must
• arrangement
• word
• trust
• compulsion
• tribute
• covenant
• setup
• compact
• restraint
• coercion
• onus
• prearrangement
• force
• reservation
• engagement
• duress
• troth
• appointment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• grace
• exemption
• ease
• discharge
• stay
• waiver
• release
• postponement
• choice
• option
• selection
• alternative
• preference
• loophole
• pick

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chorus
• response
• refrain
• repeat

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

• load
• weight
• fill
• saddle
• pack
• freight
• encumber
• weigh
• laden
• stack
• lumber
• pile
• tax
• lade
• heap
• overburden
• mound
• clutter
• overload
• clog
• hamper
• strain
• handicap
• afflict
• surcharge
• oppress
• overtax
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• unload
• relieve
• alleviate
• ease
• unburden
• lighten
• disburden
• unlade
• disencumber

2

as in to trouble

to make sad

refuses to let everyday problems burden her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trouble
• depress
• worry
• concern
• oppress
• bum (out)
• weigh down
• distress
• torture
• get down
• bother
• sadden
• deject
• torment
• ail
• discomfort
• disturb
• afflict
• upset
• dash
• discourage
• daunt
• dismay
• exercise
• unsettle
• dishearten
• disquiet
• perturb
• demoralize
• unnerve
• undo
• dispirit
• agitate
• freak (out)
• discompose
• unhinge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lighten
• rejoice
• assure
• brighten
• comfort
• cheer (up)
• gladden
• buoy
• reassure
• soothe
• stimulate
• animate
• enliven
• invigorate
• console
• inspire
• excite
• encourage
• lift
• please
• solace
• delight
• gratify
• uplift
• elevate
• boost
• elate
• hearten
• exhilarate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of burden

Noun

Johnson County District Court Judge Stephanie Goodenow sided with the petitioners in a decision Thursday, saying the city failed to meet its burden to prove the petition was invalid. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

The Select Committee’s report also introduced key changes to ease the compliance burden for businesses, such as allowing New Zealand entities to submit existing Australian statements to satisfy local law and prevent double reporting. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Cutting interest rates during an inflationary and increasingly debt-burdened economy risks undermining housing, consumer and corporate spending. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

That’s raised concerns among some operators and state officials about whether vital housing subsidies are being used effectively to help those most burdened by the state’s crushing rents amid a dire affordable housing shortage. — Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026