1
as in unloading
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relieving
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
a generous friend unburdened her of that particular financial worry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unburdening
The narrator observes that being able to share the big secret with someone brings unburdening relief.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Prevc is left with only history after unburdening the weight of his promise.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
But Nevils is doing more than just unburdening herself.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Of Landfair unburdening herself of the anchor that came with saying her name aloud.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Prevc is left with only history after unburdening the weight of his promise.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
But Nevils is doing more than just unburdening herself.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Of Landfair unburdening herself of the anchor that came with saying her name aloud.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Maybe that’s why companies like RadAI, which focus on unburdening the physician’s workflow rather than subbing in for their expertise, have been so successful.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburdening
Verb
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Perry dropped Diaz with a knee in the closing seconds, unloading uppercuts, elbows and hooks as Diaz tried to bounce away from the fence.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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Dahlia, a disillusioned police aide, breaks into the mansion of the corrupt police chief Bernal and steals the money from his safe, unloading the funds to slum dwellers whose settlement Bernal razed down.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Efforts to stop a California industrial disaster were set on a potentially promising new path on Sunday, officials said, revealing that crews discovered a possible pressure-relieving crack in the tank behind a toxic chemical leak in Orange County, where 50,000 people remain evacuated.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
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Firefighters have found a potential crack that may be relieving pressure inside a massive tank filled with a toxic chemical, a development an official described as a step in the right direction, as thousands remain under evacuation orders due to the threat of an explosion.—
Nina Giraldo,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Ways to Get Rid of Weeds Between Pavers The best method for ridding your patio or stone path of weeds depends largely on the severity of the weed problem.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
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During Blue Bloods' 14 seasons from 2010 until 2024, Wahlberg got some experience ridding himself of his Boston accent to play a Brooklynite.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was not even one tiny part of me that missed being able to refer to myself as we, so immense was the relief of freeing myself of Vagner.—
Lisa Poliak,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
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Public space expert and adjunct urban planning professor Jay Pitter’s book is a story of belonging, of feeling safe enough to take up space, and freeing ourselves from the judgement of others.—
Holly Corbett,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unburdening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburdening. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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