1
as in to unpack
to empty or rid of cargo
the dockworkers unloaded the ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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!
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
Dahlia, a disillusioned police aide, breaks into the mansion of the corrupt police chief Bernal and steals the money from his safe, unloading the funds to slum dwellers whose settlement Bernal razed down.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Just as robbers who steal physical items usually want to unload them as quickly as possible, Redbord says cyberthieves know their time is limited.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The New Corolla, an oil tanker that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before heading to California, recently unloaded its cargo in Long Beach.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Roughly 60 years ago, I was paid $12 an hour to load and unload trucks.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unload
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Just as robbers who steal physical items usually want to unload them as quickly as possible, Redbord says cyberthieves know their time is limited.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The New Corolla, an oil tanker that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before heading to California, recently unloaded its cargo in Long Beach.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Roughly 60 years ago, I was paid $12 an hour to load and unload trucks.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unload
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unload
Verb
-
But over the last 10 years, British leaders have barely had time to unpack their boxes before making way for the next occupant.—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Errin helps unpack the link between the ‘new’ and ‘old’ right, white women checkered political history, and how searching for community can sometimes lead people down dark paths.—
Brittany Luse,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Smaller ski resorts around the state were made to trust Mother Nature’s timing more than ever, stretching out their operating days as far as possible with the snow dumped by sporadic storms.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The premiere episode features an enticing premise, where Josh gets dumped for sleeping too long post-hibernation.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
On Friday, police made a reverse 911 call to tell people to evacuate and posted on social media about the evacuations, Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
Families evacuated from their homes milled about the lobby and parking lot of the Cypress Community Center late Friday waiting for any updates about the leaking chemical tank that sent them fleeing earlier that day.—
Eric Licas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Soft cheeses should be discarded if left out for more than two hours.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
-
In SpaceX’s effort to make Starship and Super Heavy completely reusable, a hot stage section of the booster that previously was discarded during separation was instead integrated.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Senators approved a motion to discharge the resolution from committee in a 50 to 47 vote.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Bigelow was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Like any good host, Twain kept us on the edge of our seats with multiple wardrobe changes as the show went on, ditching the bangs for a classic curly look.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
At the 2023 Genesis Invitational, Rai ditched his own practice regimen to watch his idol, Tiger Woods, play in the pro-am, not caring what others would think about the choice.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
But unlike adults, once a baby has lost this capacity, simply listening to music featuring that pattern over the course of a week or two is enough to bring it back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Russia, which faces hefty international sanctions, has lost vital markets for its oil and gas exports, most notably in Europe, and has become increasingly reliant on India and China as buyers of its energy exports.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Both Mitchell and the Cavs unburdened themselves of history.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
The mill, unburdened by the extra hardware and competitive restrictions, is even more potent, generating as much as 720 hp.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unload. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
