SADDLE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

saddle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of saddle

as in to load

to place a weight or burden on to the social worker it seemed as though her supervisor had once again saddled her with a truly hopeless case

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saddle

2 of 2

noun

ˈsa-dᵊl

as in canyon

a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage the next day's hike was a stiff climb out of the saddle where they had camped for the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 saddle

Verb

The sequel ratchets up the stakes by saddling its cursed protagonist with not only a supernatural nightmare but the pressures of living under an intensely public spotlight. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 The ranchers said the park service saddled them with excessive rules and regulations. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Noun

In 2024, she was hospitalized with a saddle embolism, which is a blood clot that is often deadly. — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 She and MacDonald, a Shelby Township resident who worked for High Vibe from April-June 2024, said the horses were often lame or suffering from saddle and girth sores and still would be forced to provide trail rides for up to six hours per day. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for saddle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saddle

Verb

Once lake levels are no longer safe for the largest ships to pass, the Panama Canal Authority, the agency in charge of the canal, begins to restrict their maximum draft, meaning how deep into the water the ships sink when loaded.

— Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
The company detected the problem when the new hire’s workstation began loading malware.

— Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of load

Noun

Standing on stilts near the top of the canyon, it is surrounded by brush and dirt on either side and is more than 200 feet from the nearest house north of Mulholland.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The statue was modeled after a real burro that lived in the canyon in the early 20th century.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of canyon

Verb

Perhaps more than in any other time in recent history, Americans are severely burdened by paperwork.

— Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Despite being the wealthiest generation, boomers are still burdened by significant debt, including mortgages, credit cards, and auto loans; borrowing against brokerage accounts and other investments; and personal and business loans.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burden

Noun

Many more were imperiled by muddy water racing through the narrow ravines, sparking frantic rescue missions for dozens.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
The helicopter then returned to the ravine and carried out the same technical maneuver to bring the second climber to safety.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ravine

Verb

Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland floated out the massive Hero of the Seas last Friday as the ship’s dry dock was filled with more than 90 million gallons of water overnight.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Those who bought a vase were able to bring it home filled with fresh flowers.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fill

Noun

Natural Beauty Beauty is born from nature in Greece due to an incredibly diverse landscape replete with everything from mountains, lakes, forests, and caves to craters, coasts, gorges, and volcanoes.

— Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Picture show The bridge-building nonprofit Fika is connecting communities in Rwanda separated by rivers and gorges.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of gorge

Verb

Saturday’s match may have been short on true quality but still packed a punch, with Wrexham furious that home substitute Ben Cabango was shown only a yellow card by referee Elliot Bell for a wild challenge on O’Hare.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Cinnamon and pecans pack the breakfast or snack bread with even more flavor.

— Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of pack

Noun

This comes after a partial glacier collapse in the Himalayan mountains unleashed a sudden surge of water, mud, and debris that swept through border crossings, valley communities, and hydropower projects on August 26.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026
Temperatures in some parts of the coast and nearby valleys could drop 4 to 8 degrees Thursday, while only dropping a degree or two in the mountains and foothills, the Weather Service’s Oxnard office said.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of valley

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saddens

saddle

saddled

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“Saddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saddle. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of saddle

verb

noun

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