1
as in unloading
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relieving
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a generous friend unburdened her of that particular financial worry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of unburdening
Of Landfair unburdening herself of the anchor that came with saying her name aloud.
—
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Working through his doubts with the help of others allowed Meinerz to reach an unburdening conclusion, one that helped turn him into a first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Working through his doubts with the help of others allowed Meinerz to reach an unburdening conclusion, one that helped turn him into a first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburdening
Verb
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Labeling the pantry is especially helpful in households where multiple people are responsible for unloading groceries or meal prepping.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
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Vance said that for too long, China has used the tactic of unloading materials at cheap prices to undermine potential competitors, then ratcheting up prices later after keeping new mines from being built in other countries.—
DIDI TANG,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More and more, large language models are relieving people of the burden of reading and writing, in school and at work but also in group chats and email exchanges with friends.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
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The medications, aimed at relieving the fluid in his chest, weren't cutting it due to the advanced stage of his condition.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The enduring scent of burning garbage, used as one of the sole means of ridding neighborhoods of their trash.—
Ruth Jean-Marie,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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Instead, under that framing, the fault lay with the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis for not ridding their streets of immigrants without legal status to remain in the United States.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Conley was waived Thursday, freeing the veteran 19-year guard to sign with a playoff contender, and seems to be on a reunion course with Minnesota.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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Deaths are expected to rise in the years ahead because of an aging population, freeing up more homes.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unburdening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburdening. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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