BURDENS Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

burdens 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of burden

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

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

burdens

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of burden

as in choruses

a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often had some trouble coming up with a burden for the song

Synonyms & Similar Words

burdens

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of burden

as in weights

to place a weight or burden on burdened the dog with a little backpack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in troubles

to make sad refuses to let everyday problems burden her

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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

Noun

France and Italy have excessive welfare spending, heavy taxation and mounting debt, causing unsustainable burdens. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Even before the latest spike in global borrowing costs, most developing countries faced unprecedented debt service burdens. — Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Breeds with structural health burdens, the brachycephalic group in particular, may face continued scrutiny from veterinarians and welfare groups. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Opponents say the measure would exclude transgender girls and create new medical and privacy burdens for girls seeking to play school sports. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The companies write in general terms that undercutting affiliates would lessen liquidity and worsen odds for customers, while complaining about the operational burdens the rules would create. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Foster, a defense contractor who’s just lost his job, rages at the burdens of everyday life in America, and thinks the world is working against certain people. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Connecticut still carries more than $30 billion in unfunded pension obligations, one of the highest burdens per capita of any state. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 Janelle King, one of four Republicans on the five-member board, said during a meeting Thursday that such a requirement would impose new burdens on county election officials, including possibly having to hire additional poll workers. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Traffic burdens residents daily, and heavy rain keeps exposing the same stormwater weaknesses. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 This adds unstated punishment, fragments medical care, limits programming, and burdens federal agencies with unnecessary logistics. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 In a decision written by Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, the 4th Circuit panel ruled that the houses of worship showed that the Department of Homeland Security's policy substantially burdens the free exercise of their religion. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, Brebner then burdens her with an overwritten internal monologue that would make more sense if Anna’s previous career had been as a Broadway writer. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 The renter’s credit is part of a larger but stalled push to rebalance Connecticut’s upside-down tax system, one the state’s own analysts conclude excessively burdens the poor and middle class. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026 Writing for the Court, Gorsuch rejected Jackson’s core argument that Colorado’s law merely regulates professional conduct and only incidentally burdens speech. — MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Policy analysts agreed the current plan burdens electric utilities, which could translate into higher bills. — Los Angeles Times, 13 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burdens

Noun

Cranes lift 200-ton loads at mountain bridge site The R4300-200 has a maximum lifting capacity of 200 metric tons (220 US tons) and an 80-meter jib (262 feet).

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Its remaining civil rights workers have described untenable case loads and pressure to dismiss complaints.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

In counties where there’s one or the other, the responsibilities are often combined.

— Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Boards of Education have significant responsibilities involving policy, educational priorities, budgets, and fiscal oversight.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of responsibilities

Noun

In the pre-choruses, the chords and background vocals fill the spaces around Swift’s fragmented, stop-start lead vocal, creating an infectious call-and-response flow.

— David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Breaking Benjamin As pounding as any heavy metal band, this Pennsylvania group hammers its way to surprisingly melodic choruses.

— Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of choruses

Noun

Before signing an agreement, prospective franchisees receive a franchise disclosure document (FDD), which details the costs, obligations, and risks of operating the business.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026
At the same time, local pension systems and other long-term obligations are structured in ways that obscure the true cost.

— Judi Willard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligations

Verb

Tehran fears that surrendering its maritime leverage first would invite fresh demands; Washington worries that easing pressure would reward coercion without securing lasting constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
With construction expected deep into the night, Ping worries, the dust and vibrations will only worsen.

— Curbed, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of worries

Noun

Data compiled by Bloomberg shows crude loadings fell from roughly 250,000 barrels per day in August to zero in September, marking the first such instance since the war began in February.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Ateios said electrodes at these loadings have already been shipped to a customer.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of loadings

Browse Nearby Words

burdening

burdens

burdensome

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Style

“Burdens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burdens. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of burdens

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

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