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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unburden
One of the billionaire V.C.’s favorite books was 1997’s The Sovereign Individual, which encourages elites to unburden themselves from nationhood through foreign citizenship.
—
Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
This week is an invitation to unburden, reflect, and reclaim your energy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025
Nowadays, the market is replete with accordion-style fans: confirming that, while their spinning counterparts might unburden your wrist, nothing ever beats the dramatic flair.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Musk’s social media unburdening this week certainly wasn’t helpful to the cause.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
This week is an invitation to unburden, reflect, and reclaim your energy.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025
Nowadays, the market is replete with accordion-style fans: confirming that, while their spinning counterparts might unburden your wrist, nothing ever beats the dramatic flair.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Musk’s social media unburdening this week certainly wasn’t helpful to the cause.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburden
Verb
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Glabe’s sales follow those of board member Eric Swider, who has also sharply reduced his holdings, unloading around 165,000 shares since November.—
Zach Everson,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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From there, the product would be unloaded, securely packaged, and transported to the cartel’s stateside distributors.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After my long flight home, I was relieved that the late-night visitor turned out to be nothing more than city workers on the job (and their job in this case, while surprising, didn't turn out to be too destructive).—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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She was placed on a ventilator, and doctors surgically removed a piece of her skull to relieve the pressure, according to The Times.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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