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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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
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Recent Examples of unburden
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
When leaders delegate to stretch people rather than simply unburden themselves, restraint becomes easier to sustain because growth, not speed, is the goal.
—Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Snyder is clearly back in his comfort zone, unburdened by superhero mythology and uncommitted actors, and that assurance shows in the final product.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
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
When leaders delegate to stretch people rather than simply unburden themselves, restraint becomes easier to sustain because growth, not speed, is the goal.
—Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Snyder is clearly back in his comfort zone, unburdened by superhero mythology and uncommitted actors, and that assurance shows in the final product.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unburden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unburden
Verb
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His dread turned to panic when Hochheiser, 79, was unloaded at Villa Rosa III, a 48-bed assisted living home with peeling paint, burglar bars, barren planters and a history of poor care.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Satellite imagery showed cargo ships unloading vehicles directly onto a beach via ramps, with at least 330 vehicles visible on and near the shore.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many agree that relieving economic distress must be an immediate focus, but while some believe that should entail a gradual, socialist-style liberalization of the economy, others want a total transition to free-market capitalism, including more foreign investment and private enterprise.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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Sonoma Artistic Director Carl Spence was relieved to get delivery of the film to the festival in time for his opening night.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unburden. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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