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!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of unloading
World War II also provides the backdrop for Concord’s Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, which honors 320 Black soldiers killed in a 1944 explosion while unloading munitions — a tragedy that led to desegregation of the military.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
That means loading, then later unloading at the airport here, and doing it all over again at the airport there.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
Stick it under an SUV liftgate when unloading the trunk or cooking on a slide-out kitchen after dark.
—New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
The compartment, which costs $3,500 extra, even features a retractable ramp to making loading and unloading a breeze.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
As someone who worked his way up from unloading trucks in the warehouse to eventually landing in the C-suite, McMillon embodies how staying dedicated to one employer can work wonders for aspiring leaders—in contrast to job-hopping in search of potential pay gains.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Mahama worked with a team to complete this project, unloading four trucks of scrap metal, tirelessly extracting the matter, and disassembling railway cars.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Having the conviction to spearhead trades unloading two starting quarterbacks is another.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Autonomous mobile robots, truck-unloading robots, pick-and-pack robots and sorting robots are just a few examples of the varying types of technology working to create the warehouse of the future.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
That means loading, then later unloading at the airport here, and doing it all over again at the airport there.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
Stick it under an SUV liftgate when unloading the trunk or cooking on a slide-out kitchen after dark.
—New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
The compartment, which costs $3,500 extra, even features a retractable ramp to making loading and unloading a breeze.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
As someone who worked his way up from unloading trucks in the warehouse to eventually landing in the C-suite, McMillon embodies how staying dedicated to one employer can work wonders for aspiring leaders—in contrast to job-hopping in search of potential pay gains.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Mahama worked with a team to complete this project, unloading four trucks of scrap metal, tirelessly extracting the matter, and disassembling railway cars.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Having the conviction to spearhead trades unloading two starting quarterbacks is another.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Autonomous mobile robots, truck-unloading robots, pick-and-pack robots and sorting robots are just a few examples of the varying types of technology working to create the warehouse of the future.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unloading
Verb
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Denver Health has aided these efforts by investing in strategic partnerships that provide alternatives to discharging hospitalized patients back to the streets.—
Sarah Stella,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
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In 2013, Colonel Margolin, who had been serving as commanding officer of Quantico’s Security Battalion, was removed from command after negligently discharging a personal firearm, according to news reports at the time.—
Chris Cameron,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For decades, China has used the tactic of dumping excess critical minerals onto the market to drive prices down to force mining companies in the rest of the world out of business to eliminate any competition.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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Rasoulof lingers over her wounds for a long time as Najmeh painstakingly removes each metal ball with tweezers, dumping them into a sink drenched in blood.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keep in mind, there are also often guest service perks available; Ali shares that visitors appreciate Langham’s butler suite services, which include unpacking, ironing, and arranging wardrobes for guests.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Now, Ben and his sister Amy Stiller are looking back at the hours of footage their parents left behind, unpacking their legacy — both personally and professionally.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Replacing filters can be costly, and discarding them every few months isn’t environmentally friendly.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
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The team believes their novel approach may soon provide a roadmap for a fluorine circular economy, where valuable compounds are harvested from waste, instead of simply discarding or burning the materials.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Doctors Without Borders emergency center in the neighborhood of Turgeau had temporarily closed in March 2025 after armed men opened fire on four of the organization's vehicles that were evacuating staff from the center.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
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Heavy rain early Tuesday morning pushed rivers across the southern state past their banks and into the surrounding communities — damaging roads, evacuating residents and shutting down schools and businesses.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Similar to its loose setting powder sibling, Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder locks in makeup in seconds, complete with a subtly dewy finish that keeps oil at bay without completely ditching the glow.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
23 Oct. 2025
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For Denver Center for the Performing Arts theater technician Chris Grossman, 35, ditching RTD led to a better quality of life.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The disappointment of losing to Watertown yet again, this time a 2-1 decision in early September that could’ve gone the other way.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
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Already, animators are losing their jobs because it’s now done by AI, and soon, everything can be done perfectly by AI.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The canister was still wedged in my crotch, off-loading its contents like a homemade Roman candle.—
Charlie Sheen,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Unloading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unloading. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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