1
as in loads
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported
the early settlers often used horses to carry their burdens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in responsibilities
something one must do because of prior agreement
the burden of homework prevented the youngster from joining his friends at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in weights
to place a weight or burden on
burdened the dog with a little backpack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in troubles
to make sad
refuses to let everyday problems burden her
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 burdens
Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 20 May 2026
The county has also provided more than $17 million in fee deferrals and refunds to ease financial burdens on residents who are rebuilding.
—David Wilson, Daily News, 19 May 2026
But despite assurances that the impact on businesses has been minimized, some groups still worried that the AI bill — despite its sections on workforce development and increasing AI knowledge — will ultimately create new burdens for businesses that could hamper innovation efforts.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Yet these narrower successors still impose new compliance burdens beyond those imposed by existing civil rights and consumer protection law.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Maybe those things can help alleviate some of those cost burdens.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Taking those burdens off working Texans frees people to fully participate in our economy and earn a living with dignity.
—Rachel Royster
may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Immigrant rights advocates raised concerns with changes to the Medi-Cal program for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, especially after the state Senate forecast in its plan that additional cost burdens wouldn’t be necessary, and that some could be delayed.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Another measure, Senate Bill 888, is also seeking to reduce property tax burdens for disabled veterans.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, some lawmakers and advocates say the proposal disproportionately burdens the electricity sector at a moment when utility bills are soaring.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Connecticut’s system of taxation unjustly burdens its poorest citizens.
—Joseph Gerics, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Supporters say securing transportation, getting time off and having to repeat visits unnecessarily burdens low-income women.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The disproportionate health burdens women of color face are not unique to the perimenopause and menopause experience.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
The most significant successes are often for companies addressing conditions with large, underserved disease burdens.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
This model enables rapid domestic and international growth without the balance-sheet intensity that burdens competitors.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
And that power burdens school districts with edicts and mandates that often discourage reform and experimentation while doing little to improve student outcomes.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Noun
Cekada and Blanche said the new regulations would ease burdens for the firearms industry and lawful gun owners.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 20 May 2026
The county has also provided more than $17 million in fee deferrals and refunds to ease financial burdens on residents who are rebuilding.
—David Wilson, Daily News, 19 May 2026
But despite assurances that the impact on businesses has been minimized, some groups still worried that the AI bill — despite its sections on workforce development and increasing AI knowledge — will ultimately create new burdens for businesses that could hamper innovation efforts.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Yet these narrower successors still impose new compliance burdens beyond those imposed by existing civil rights and consumer protection law.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Maybe those things can help alleviate some of those cost burdens.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Taking those burdens off working Texans frees people to fully participate in our economy and earn a living with dignity.
—Rachel Royster
may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Immigrant rights advocates raised concerns with changes to the Medi-Cal program for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, especially after the state Senate forecast in its plan that additional cost burdens wouldn’t be necessary, and that some could be delayed.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Another measure, Senate Bill 888, is also seeking to reduce property tax burdens for disabled veterans.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
Writing for the Court, Gorsuch rejected Jackson’s core argument that Colorado’s law merely regulates professional conduct and only incidentally burdens speech.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, some lawmakers and advocates say the proposal disproportionately burdens the electricity sector at a moment when utility bills are soaring.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Connecticut’s system of taxation unjustly burdens its poorest citizens.
—Joseph Gerics, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Supporters say securing transportation, getting time off and having to repeat visits unnecessarily burdens low-income women.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The disproportionate health burdens women of color face are not unique to the perimenopause and menopause experience.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
The most significant successes are often for companies addressing conditions with large, underserved disease burdens.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
This model enables rapid domestic and international growth without the balance-sheet intensity that burdens competitors.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
And that power burdens school districts with edicts and mandates that often discourage reform and experimentation while doing little to improve student outcomes.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burdens
Noun
-
Levi’s went on a prolific streak of collaborations by releasing three collections with Nike and Jordan Brand from last July through January, and during that time and onward denim has been popping up on loads more in-line releases under the Nike umbrella.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
There’s plenty of space in the rear too, with loads of head and legroom for adult passengers.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Sandweg said one of the director's most underappreciated responsibilities is managing that internal fault line, ensuring that ERO's highly visible arrest operations do not undermine HSI's ability to cultivate the confidential informants and foreign partnerships on which its work depends.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Those are the choruses of some of the most popular songs by the Cocteau Twins, a band that seemed to come from out of nowhere with its own musical language, and its own deeply original way of using the English language.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
12 May 2026
-
Arias, recitatives and choruses are more like ruminations from the King James Bible, as part of a spiritual journey.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
There is one enemy, however, that still troubles him.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
What troubles me most about the manosphere documentary is not the influencers themselves.—
Steven Burg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This means that a more efficient engine could either reduce costs or allow spacecraft to carry heavier payloads into orbit.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
-
Closer to home, Starship is designed to carry larger versions of the company's Starlink internet satellites and other payloads to Earth orbit.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests with work obligations, caregiving responsibilities or health considerations may not be able to fully disconnect, and most properties offer at least limited emergency communication options.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
But this ambitious vision, which many in the sector think will become reality sooner or later, worries atmospheric researchers.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
Although consumer spending — which accounts for roughly two-thirds of economic activity — has largely held up this year, Ajilore worries that could change quickly.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Observable loadings have declined since the blockade, although the data can be difficult to interpret and often shows up on a delay.—
Anthony Di Paola,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
Windward said more than two dozen tankers are confined west of Hormuz as of Wednesday, with the blockade cutting Iranian oil loadings and exports by more than half.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burdens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burdens. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
