OVERLOAD Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

overload 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈlōd

Definition of overload

as in to load

to fill or load to excess try not to overload your backpack, or you could end up with back problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overload

2 of 2

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 overload

Verb

These demands are not likely to ease as football becomes more obsessed with physicality, so, from an Arsenal perspective, the importance of not overloading their right-backs only heightens. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Tiger Chung cofounded the brand Tigerstrolling with his wife and its couture debut was overloaded with imagination and sophisticated funkiness, with dramatic silhouettes made from everyday objects. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

Zipping around Tokyo, Kotlyarenko underlines the of-the-moment-ness of his scenario at every turn, but the film is a surprisingly slow ride despite the overload. — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 The live arrangement replaces the quiet with an overload of bass and percussion. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overload

Verb

Drones can be seen near the scene of the strike as responders load the injured onto stretchers and into emergency vehicles.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Florida’s defense, which allowed 211 yards on the ground to Missouri’s backup running back last week, will need to find a new spine (and a better way to load the box).

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of load

Noun

The Coast Guard then escorted the Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy inspection team confirmed large quantities of fuel in the ship’s ballast tanks.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
These deals offer partnerships, a ballast in a fractured world.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ballast

Noun

The court also barred him from the train operator for 12 months, ordered 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered him to pay £5,000 in compensation to Southeastern, £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Eco effort Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge has established an Environmental Legacy Program, funded privately by the lodge and by lodge guests through a 3 percent environmental surcharge to support sustainability initiatives.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of surcharge

Verb

The Ducks failed, with Tyson Ford and Jalen Woods stuffing Thomas on the one-yard line.

— Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The kitchen brings that same fruit-forward touch to the truite au crabe, stuffing butterflied trout with crabmeat and baking it in foil alongside fennel root, sweet apples and a bubbly potato gratin.

— Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stuff

Noun

India accounted for more than half of the increase in the region’s rights fees since 2021, and 64% of all fees is now concentrated in the 12 most valuable rights packages.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Ryan is currently focused on creating greater consistency across Hilton’s perks and benefits packages, which can differ between countries.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of package

Noun

AfterShip Agent catches shipment exceptions early and groups them by carrier and issue.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
According to Colombian police accounts cited by El Tiempo, Pulido coordinated the shipment of approximately two tons of cocaine and 17 kilograms of heroin to Europe in 1999.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of shipment

Noun

At the next checkpoint, however, soldiers pulled back the bales to reveal the Cadillac and the Ram.

— Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Later in the podcast, the NFL star siblings reacted to a fan’s homemade Halloween decoration, which rendered bales of hay into models of Travis and his 14-time Grammy-winning wife.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of bale

Browse Nearby Words

overlies

overload

overloaded

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“Overload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overload. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overload

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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