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Definitions

burden

[bur-dn] / ˈbɜr dn /
NOUN
mental weight; stress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxiety concern difficulty duty hardship load onus responsibility strain task tax trouble worry
STRONG
accountability affliction albatross blame care charge clog encumbrance grievance hindrance millstone misfortune mishap obstruction punishment sorrow trial work
WEAK
Herculean task ball and chain deadweight excess baggage thorn in one's side weary load
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantage aid assistance benefit blessing calmness contentment ease happiness help irresponsibility peace tranquility
STRONG
encouragement exculpation exoneration praise promotion relief
VERB
encumber, strain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afflict bother depress encumber hamper hinder lade oppress overload overwhelm weigh down
STRONG
crush cumber impede load obligate overcharge pile press snow strain tax trouble try vex worry
WEAK
bear down on dish it out dish out dump on give it to make heavy saddle with snow under stick it to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid allow assist cheer comfort delight encourage further help make happy permit please promote
STRONG
release soothe unburden
WEAK
relieve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Getting Marcus Smart back from injury Friday helped ease the ball-handling burden on Kennard.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

But she was not willing to elide the defendant’s burden.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Customs has placed the burden on firms to assemble information to make claims, says lawyer Jared Slipman, chair of the tax department at Obermayer, which has been advising businesses on the process.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Facing daily barrages of Russian drones and missiles, Ukraine has invited private companies to get their own air-defence systems in a bid to ease the burden on its military.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

He steps to the hole, drops to his knees, and lets go of the burden.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Vocabulary lists containing burden

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!