1
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to relieve
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a generous friend unburdened her of that particular financial worry
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Recent Examples of unburden
When leaders delegate to stretch people rather than simply unburden themselves, restraint becomes easier to sustain because growth, not speed, is the goal.
—
Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In the car, Henry unburdens himself by telling Yas the full truth about his father’s death.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Snyder is clearly back in his comfort zone, unburdened by superhero mythology and uncommitted actors, and that assurance shows in the final product.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The outlook for Russia’s economy would be rosy, unburdened by sanctions and lost human capital, and made rich by Europe’s once-insatiable demand for its oil and gas.
—Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In the car, Henry unburdens himself by telling Yas the full truth about his father’s death.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Snyder is clearly back in his comfort zone, unburdened by superhero mythology and uncommitted actors, and that assurance shows in the final product.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The outlook for Russia’s economy would be rosy, unburdened by sanctions and lost human capital, and made rich by Europe’s once-insatiable demand for its oil and gas.
—Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburden
Verb
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The As2 is powered by a 648Wh, 15,000mAh lithium battery that allows more than four hours of runtime when unloaded, covering distances beyond 20 km.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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The Houston Texans sent the Cleveland Browns a second-round draft pick to unload Brock Osweiler’s bad contract a year after signing him to a four-year, $72 million deal.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All the Miami players, clearly relieved, piled on Segovia to celebrate.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
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Beyond helping San Diego close a budget shortfall, Elo-Rivera maintained the taxes on second homes and short-term rentals would relieve pressure on the city’s housing shortage.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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