1
as in to unpack
to empty or rid of cargo
the dockworkers unloaded the ship
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2
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!
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Recent Examples of unload
The Mariners finish a big Step 1 in their deadline plan, and the Diamondbacks can concentrate more on unloading at least two more impending free agents in Eugenio Suárez and one of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
—
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Wayne Pesce, president of CT Food Association, draws his conclusion from images and videos he’s seen from grocery stores, such as a man unloading an SUV full of bottle bags, and cars in a parking lot with out-of-state license plates.
—Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
The bear mauled the hiker, who unloaded his entire can of spray deterrent to ward off the bear, first to stop the attack and then a second time when the bear returned.
—Mark Thiessen, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Investigators said the suspects approached a group of people at a streetcar stop on Edgewood Ave. and unloaded a hail of bullets, WXIA reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unload
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Wayne Pesce, president of CT Food Association, draws his conclusion from images and videos he’s seen from grocery stores, such as a man unloading an SUV full of bottle bags, and cars in a parking lot with out-of-state license plates.
—Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
The bear mauled the hiker, who unloaded his entire can of spray deterrent to ward off the bear, first to stop the attack and then a second time when the bear returned.
—Mark Thiessen, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Investigators said the suspects approached a group of people at a streetcar stop on Edgewood Ave. and unloaded a hail of bullets, WXIA reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unload
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unload
Verb
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To fully understand Singapore’s approach would require unpacking a dizzying array of programs, international partnerships, and regulatory structures.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
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Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This requires a fundamental shift in the leadership approach: • From Status Reporting To Storytelling: Transform your strategic communications from data dumps to compelling narratives that connect individual contributions to organizational outcomes.—
Aurelien Mangano,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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However, thanks to the self-emptying feature, our tester didn’t have to dump the dustbin.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Knitters evacuated through their front door and onto a rescue boat with their daughter, two dogs and goldfish.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Scenes were written and discarded as the story evolved organically, shaped by mood, what was available on the day.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
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The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Tracey and John pose after he was discharged from ICU, left; and the husband sits at the stroke rehab facility, right.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Police had arrested a minor on Aug. 9 who discharged a firearm at a group of teens, according to ABC 7 News.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The move reflects broader shifts in media, as more consumers ditch cable in favor of streaming.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
11 Aug. 2025
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have renewed their Netflix deal in a major boost for the couple after there were reports that the streamer was moving to ditch them.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Polls show the party fractured, deeply unpopular and at risk of losing not only the presidency but also its legal status — a stunning reversal for a movement that once shaped Bolivia’s national agenda.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
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If the Sojourner Truth museum is forced to shut down, a host of youth engagement programs could also be lost.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sunday’s starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, went about his business, unburdened by offensive support once again.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unload. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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