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 Texas does not have laws requiring guns to be stored locked and unloaded, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026 We volunteers formed a fire line, one arm’s-length apart on either side, and started unloading the boxes. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Cars would pull up and more goods would be unloaded, and then there was another car or truck or fan doing the same, part of an endless parade. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 The outspoken Jewish comedian unloaded on X, calling the performance a total nightmare while publicly questioning Sheeran’s decision to share a stage with the musician. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unload

Verb

Ultimately, Taylor’s journey was a lesson in how simple pleasures are often the most enduring souvenirs—internal keepsakes that linger long after the last bag is unpacked.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
In the below interview, Scanlon further unpacks the denouement of the film, full-circle moments, working in the romantic comedy space and whether a Hazelwood cameo was discussed.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unpack

Verb

By dumping pro-Palestinian Macklemore from his tour, apolitical Ed Sheeran is suddenly political, argues news and culture critic Lorraine Ali.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
How Monster Depicts the Borden Murders Their first attempt involves serving the couple oysters in May, when the series says the city of Fall River dumps its sewage over the oyster beds, contaminating the shellfish with potentially fatal bacteria.

— Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of dump

Verb

As the news of the helicopter crash spread, media crews from the bus accident scene began rushing to the helicopter site and were told by law enforcement to evacuate because the situation was too dangerous, NBC4 footage showed.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Following the incident, police swiftly evacuated nearby businesses and parking garages.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of evacuate

Verb

Its two outer booster engines were discarded during flight, while the central sustainer continued operating and later helped the converted Atlas launch John Glenn into orbit.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Any Weather Mac is designed to be sustainable from how it’s made to how it’s discarded, with the company taking steps to make sure the product won’t end up in a landfill.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of discard

Verb

Peters and two other men were summoned to appear on charges of discharging a gun in public.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
But construction at the plant will require about half of the stack's normal output to discharge out of the building closer to Hoan Bridge, MMSD said.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of discharge

Verb

By ditching all-wheel drive for pure rear-wheel drive, VW is hoping driving dynamics, tactile steering feedback and chassis playfulness means more to modern buyers than raw neck-snapping speed.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
Even if the budget for the Emmys stays flat, there are other upsides to ditching broadcast and having a stable home.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of ditch

Verb

A lot of other researchers have published essays or long posts on social media, unburdening themselves of their concerns as well.

— Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
These outsiders, like executives or academics from different fields, offer crucial external perspectives, unburdened by internal assumptions or politics.

— Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of unburden

Verb

New characters are introduced, many interesting details are offered, yet the narration never loses its focus, every sentence adding to the characters’ mounting sense of powerlessness in the face of such a tragic death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
And last Sunday, in these pages, Coulter lamented losing his unfettered discretion on where to shelve books.

— Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unload

verb

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