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

Extra demand from air conditioning units can overload power grids, causing blackouts that can disrupt infrastructure. — April Roach, CNBC, 29 June 2026 Avoid overloading the boat – too much weight can make a vessel unstable. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Noun

The evacuation of a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan and the surrounding area was ordered on Tuesday after the building showed signs of potential collapse that may have been caused by overload, experts say. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 July 2026 That overload caused problems at the back post — Spence followed Noah Sadiki’s run into the box, and the right-back couldn’t recover in time to close down Cipenga’s shot. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overload

Verb

So when Alex Vesia struggled against the Rockies in the eighth inning and Muncy suffered a throwing error, Colorado seemed in position to score with the bases loaded and one out.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Mets star Juan Soto walked to load the bases; Bo Bichette followed with a sacrifice fly and Carson Benge hit an RBI single.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of load

Noun

The balloon was so weighed down that the men had to throw their sandbag ballast overboard just to gain the air.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
Musk’s unusual lock-up structure presents investors with a case of extremes, giving the stock a ballast of stability for the first year, followed by the potential for a supernova event.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Definition of ballast

Verb

The Legislature has repeatedly rejected stiffer criminal penalties for wayward operators and stymied efforts to let cities or counties pick up enforcement slack when state inspectors are overburdened.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
In January 2025, a federal judge ruled that portion of the ordinance overburdens free speech rights by prohibiting anyone from providing any lecture in any San Diego public park or beach.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of overburden

Noun

In light of these moves, the $200 surcharge feels like a relatively small ongoing cost to receive the biggest software update to the iPhone in years.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The surcharge, imposed on non-primary residences valued by the city at more than $1 million, was first proposed in April, approved in May and officially took effect this week.

— Robert Frank, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of surcharge

Verb

After Haissem Hassan took down Nicolás Tagliafico in the box, Lionel Messi took the penalty kick, but his shot toward the right side of the goal was stuffed by a diving Mostafa Shoubir!

— NBC News, NBC news, 7 July 2026
Over the past year, a wave of Strategy copycats have stuffed public companies with crypto in a bid to lift their share prices, but that trade has largely lost steam.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Definition of stuff

Noun

While the streaming service recently eliminated its free trial directly through the site, customers who sign up for one of DirecTV’s Signature packages will get three months of Paramount+ Premium included at no cost.

— Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
Included in the Distributed Digital Systems (DDiS) program package, the control system supervises and manages installations in the fields of energy, propulsion, diving safety and auxiliary systems.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026

Definition of package

Noun

Each new shipment of sod that arrived in refrigerated trucks costs about $250,000 — and teams likely would have to replace that sod at least once during an NFL season.

— A.J. Perez, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Upon inspection, commercial vehicles receive a certificate that states the shipment must be held for further inspection at the delivery site by county agricultural offices.

— Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of shipment

Noun

The Green Mountains, hay bales, cows, and barns immediately calmed my mind and gave the kids a place to run around and have fun.

— Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 29 June 2026
According to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Senegal is anticipated to produce around 55,000 bales of cotton fiber, equivalent to nearly 12,500 metric tons during the 2026-2027 season.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 29 June 2026

Definition of bale

Browse Nearby Words

overlies

overload

overloaded

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Overload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overload. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overload

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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