1
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to relieve
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a generous friend unburdened her of that particular financial worry
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 unburden
Unlike so many other athletes who played a sport at the highest level for a long period of time, Nadal didn’t much seem to care to unburden his soul.
—
Corey Seymour,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Bolt’s fresh arrival to the GPU arena also allows the company to take a clean sheet approach unburdened by legacy support.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
21 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
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Corey Seymour,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Bolt’s fresh arrival to the GPU arena also allows the company to take a clean sheet approach unburdened by legacy support.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
21 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
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburden
Verb
-
Crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks this week — much of it covered or obscured — and barricades have been placed near the perimeter of the arena.
-
The streets have been shut down around the venue, with trucks unloading equipment for the most anticipated wedding in recent memory.
Verb
-
Cuas relieved pitcher Matt Strahm in the eighth inning and limited the Rays to just two hits and one run.
-
Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick.
Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
