UNLOAD Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

unload

verb

ˌən-ˈlōd

Definition of unload

as in to unpack

to empty or rid of cargo the dockworkers unloaded the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted I can't seem to unload this old car—even the charities won't take it!

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 unload The World Liberty tokens that Sun may have sought to unload have plunged in value by more than eighty per cent, to less than six cents each. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 2 July 2026 The streets have been shut down around the venue, with trucks unloading equipment for the most anticipated wedding in recent memory. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 July 2026 Frenzied speculation around the wedding has built for weeks, intensifying in recent days as crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks, including a large carpet. — Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 2 July 2026 As dozens of delivery trucks unloaded decor outside of MSG, there was speculation that Swift and Kelce were building a castle inside of the venue. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unload

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unload

Verb

Tijssen then led guests on a walkthrough of the installations, unpacking how artificial intelligence, sound design and generative visuals work together to keep the show’s audiovisual landscape in constant flux.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026
There are also many active travelers who relish packing and unpacking just once.

— Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of unpack

Verb

The Category 4 storm brought 140 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge to parts of the Gulf Coast before combining with a separate system, dumping over 30 inches of rain in parts of North Carolina over the span of a few days.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Add three-quarters of the celery mixture to the potatoes and marinating liquid, dump in the mayo dressing, and gently stir to combine.

— Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

Definition of dump

Verb

The air was already clearing by the time the stadium was evacuated.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
The Secret Service said earlier this evening that all attendees who evacuated the venue due to orders to shelter from approaching severe storms would have to go through security screenings again.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of evacuate

Verb

That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
One of the most direct things people can do is avoid flushing or discarding unused medications down the sink or toilet!

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of discard

Verb

Supercapacitors are known for fast charging and discharging, as well as long operating lifetimes.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Like what happened the late afternoon of May 11 in Mundelein, where an 18-year police veteran and sergeant discharged his service weapon four times and killed 37-year-old Mary Alice Love.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of discharge

Verb

The team is unburdened by identity, so Haaland has been free to create it.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
The 19-year-old Russian is the favorite given her form, but Krejčíková, 30, is a fearsome opponent on grass and will enter the match unburdened by pressure.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of unburden

Verb

The Padres, meanwhile, have lost six straight and given up 66 runs over the last six days, the most in such a span in franchise history.

— Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
But water also carries the potential for danger, and parents who have lost a child to drowning are begging families to use caution.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of lose

Browse Nearby Words

unlivable

unload

unloaded

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“Unload.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unload. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unload

verb

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