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
Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
But experts worry these measures may add unnecessary burdens on an industry that is largely made up of small businesses.
—Jess Huff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Historically, immigrants deported to Central America have gotten little if any re-integration assistance with burdens like housing and employment.
—Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Regulatory burdens, slow permitting and slow inspections all disincentivize new construction by making building more costly and less financially viable.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Its proponents claim that the administrative burdens placed on everything from housing to energy infrastructure, once considered checks on the excesses of untrammeled capitalism, now serve primarily to impede progress.
—Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The program is meant to alleviate financial burdens for families during an important part of an infant's development.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The highest percentage of those with financial burdens was families earning less than $50,000 per year.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
Still, state-by-state variations in debt collectors’ business strategy, the composition of household debt and weaker regulations on predatory loans could play into Texas’ high debt collection burdens, McClendon said.
—William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Advocates say the push burdens states with duplicative verification checks and could lead people to lose coverage just for missing paperwork deadlines.
—Kff Health News, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Caregivers — spouses, children and loved ones — are often the unsung heroes who manage care while carrying their own emotional and physical burdens.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
But experts worry these measures may add unnecessary burdens on an industry that is largely made up of small businesses.
—Jess Huff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Historically, immigrants deported to Central America have gotten little if any re-integration assistance with burdens like housing and employment.
—Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Regulatory burdens, slow permitting and slow inspections all disincentivize new construction by making building more costly and less financially viable.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Its proponents claim that the administrative burdens placed on everything from housing to energy infrastructure, once considered checks on the excesses of untrammeled capitalism, now serve primarily to impede progress.
—Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The program is meant to alleviate financial burdens for families during an important part of an infant's development.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The highest percentage of those with financial burdens was families earning less than $50,000 per year.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
Still, state-by-state variations in debt collectors’ business strategy, the composition of household debt and weaker regulations on predatory loans could play into Texas’ high debt collection burdens, McClendon said.
—William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Advocates say the push burdens states with duplicative verification checks and could lead people to lose coverage just for missing paperwork deadlines.
—Kff Health News, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burdens
Verb
-
Sometimes a quiz page loads slowly, and completing quizzes requires excessive clicking.—
Jill Duffy,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This app generates a virtual computer, which then loads a computer operating system such as Microsoft’s flagship.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Understanding this cold-sensing protein could one day lead to better therapies for cold hypersensitivity that often troubles people undergoing certain types of cancer chemotherapies.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In my experience, challenging conventions and presenting a more candid depiction of what troubles our fighting men and women — and their folks back home — brings you more credibility and appreciation than trying to spray perfume on the horrors of the battlefield.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wade reportedly worries audiences may think her performances are imitating an idea Swift created due to the 14-time Grammy Award winning singer’s enormous popularity.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Much of what the farms sell is on contract with prices already set, which means those costs will have to be absorbed for now, said Parra, who worries many state crops could see lower sales as prices eventually rise in markets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What concerns her most is that the current moment is reshuffling economic roles without doing the deeper cultural work.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Miller’s 1968 play, written during the agonizing days of the Vietnam War, concerns the disposition of the remains of a once-illustrious estate.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Modified in this way, the gun will continue firing as long as the shooter depresses the trigger and the gun has ammunition.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Usually a warm El Nino spikes temperatures and its cool La Nina flip side depresses temperatures.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The retrospection tortures her.—
Alexandra Rockey Fleming,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Later, in one of the movie's most satisfying scenes, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and tortures him by loudly smashing each plate.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His policies have been instrumental in dismantling the criminal enterprise that oppresses the Venezuelan people.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burdens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burdens. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
