1
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo
the crew was frantically unburdening the ship in an attempt to save it
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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
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Recent Examples of unburden
Those who support a more rehabilitative approach have hailed Gascón’s efforts as proof that pursuing a different tack can unburden the criminal justice system and help build lives and communities.
—
Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Success would unburden the House of Republican control — and create a bulwark against any effort to trample on D.C. self-determination.
—Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
Rather than delude themselves into thinking that modern tools had unburdened them of that old-world obligation, Chung and co. opted to go much the same route.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 July 2024
Twice Biden has attempted to achieve his campaign pledge of forgiving student loan debt in an effort to unburden a generation of students who took on massive student loan debt at a young age.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unburden 
Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Success would unburden the House of Republican control — and create a bulwark against any effort to trample on D.C. self-determination.
—Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
Rather than delude themselves into thinking that modern tools had unburdened them of that old-world obligation, Chung and co. opted to go much the same route.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 July 2024
Twice Biden has attempted to achieve his campaign pledge of forgiving student loan debt in an effort to unburden a generation of students who took on massive student loan debt at a young age.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unburden
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Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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