unloading

verb

present participle of unload
1
as in discharging
to empty or rid of cargo the dockworkers unloaded the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dumping
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 unloading The timing shook out nicely, considering Berg would go on to be tapped to succeed Don Garber as MLS’ next commissioner and has subsequently been tasked with unloading his sizable ownership stake in LAFC. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 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 FedEx is expanding on a robotics pilot to bring autonomous trailer loading and unloading capabilities to a Maryland distribution hub. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026 Broken Items Vacation puts lots of wear and tear on items, whether due to fun in the sun or just loading or unloading luggage. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 The facility has more than 850 robots unloading auto parts, stamping out steel components, putting together car frames, and installing car doors, according to IEEE Spectrum. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026 Their jobs involve unloading raw sugar arriving by ship at the C&H Sugar facility in Crockett. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Cleveland has one or two roster moves to make to be able to pay James $15 million next season instead — unloading Max Strus and Dennis Schröder — but hasn’t done either yet. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unloading
  1. discharging
  2. dumping
  3. unpacking
  4. discarding
  5. evacuating
  6. ditching
  7. off-loading
  8. losing
Verb
  • These crimes doubled from 2014 to 2024 with one category, discharging a firearm, having more than tripled during that time, the stats show.
    — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But a follow-up investigation by the Oregon Health Authority, made public in February 2024, found the facility was still discharging vulnerable patients, including those with severe addiction, without proper safeguards.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of discharging
Verb
  • Many larger animals eat frogs (and other small animals) and may carry them far away from their normal habitat before dumping the bones (either as a regurgitate or poo).
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The woman's son told police that Merriweather forced pills from the victim's medicine into her mouth, followed by dumping a mixed drink down her throat.
    — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dumping
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
  • Britney Spears is unpacking the emotional toll her conservatorship – and everything that came with it – took on her.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpacking
Verb
  • By decoding the reasoning and visual cues behind user preferences, the company said the platform converts these inputs into valuable insights rather than discarding them as clutter.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Marvel similarly spent a decade effectively building its stories and characters toward Infinity War and Endgame has since been criticized for floundering a bit — awkwardly trying and discarding various characters and stories.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of discarding
Verb
  • Officials on Monday began evacuating two villages near the volcano, which is located 22 miles from the capital, Guatemala City.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • George and Amal Clooney are standing by their French community after evacuating their home as wildfires spread across parts of Europe.
    — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of evacuating
Verb
  • But the images of young Moroccans marching up the shoreline, ditching inflatable tubes along their way, have forced Europe into a debate over how countries can manage migration humanely while maintaining control of their borders.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This buttery-soft basic is worth ditching your frumpy tees for.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of ditching
Verb
  • The transaction contained fundamental flaws, and AT&T eventually reversed course by off-loading WarnerMedia and combining it with Discovery.
    — Paul Hardart, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Following quickly on the heels of spinning off Versant Media earlier this year, Comcast is now off-loading the entirety of NBCUniversal.
    — Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of off-loading
Verb
  • This is good energy for planning a date, creative project, or one-on-one conversation that needs structure without losing spark.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse is breaking her silence about losing her title weeks after winning the state pageant.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of losing

Browse Nearby Words

unloaded
unloading
unloads
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Cite this Entry

“Unloading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unloading. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unloading for Spanish Speakers

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