UNLOAD Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

unload

verb

ˌən-ˈlōd

Definition of unload

as in to unpack

to empty or rid of cargo the dockworkers unloaded the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted I can't seem to unload this old car—even the charities won't take it!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unload The safest approach is to store firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition, with ammunition also securely stored. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Aug. 2026 Despite unloading several key players before Monday’s trade deadline, the Orioles remain in the thick of the AL wild-card race after winning the first two games of this series against the last-place Angels. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Despite unloading several key players before Monday's trade deadline, the Orioles remain in the thick of the AL wild-card race after winning the first two games of this series against the last-place Angels. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 So when the car is loaded down, the headlights will go down; when the car is unloaded, the headlights go up. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unload

Verb

The focus is not only on smaller ships, but also on the ease of unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations, while enjoying the restaurants, spa, service, and design found at a luxury resort.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
That physical vulnerability was also matched emotionally, as the film unpacked her relationship with her American-esque family—Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour).

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of unpack

Verb

Thousands of gallons of crude oil were dumped into the river in May when a construction crew trying to lay fiber-optic cable hit a pipeline carrying the substance from Kern County to the Port of Los Angeles.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Homeowners tend to dump seed straight onto compacted, untilled soil and expect grass to appear.

— Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of dump

Verb

Residents in the tiny rural town of Malden, located about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Spokane, had been urged Saturday to evacuate immediately.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang on Sunday, with more than one million people evacuated.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of evacuate

Verb

Each of the 31 teams needed to be reoutfitted, along with every member of the athletic department staff, and the old stuff discarded.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Numerous foods were discarded and two coolers required repairs, according to the report.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of discard

Verb

As the train caught fire, a northbound train arrived at the station and discharged its passengers.

— Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Violations of the Clean Water Act are somewhat easier to prove than violations of other statutes because the simple act of discharging a pollutant without a permit is a violation of the law.

— Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of discharge

Verb

High gas prices from the Iran-Israel War also may spur some drivers to ditch their cars for a while and save cash by avoiding the gas pump.

— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
In addition to clearing the deal, culture secretary Nandy has ditched plans to bring forward secondary legislation enabling Ofcom to examine how the Paramount-WBD deal would impact streaming services.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of ditch

Verb

José Ramírez loses his bat during the game on June 2, 2026 at Yankee Stadium.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Data from the Office of Personnel Management shows that the agency lost more than 3,300 staff, roughly one-quarter of its total workforce, over the past fiscal year.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lose

Browse Nearby Words

unlivable

unload

unloaded

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“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unload. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unload

verb

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