OVERBURDEN Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

overburden

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈbər-dᵊn

Definition of overburden

as in to overload

to fill or load to excess it is important that you bring on the hike plenty of food and water, but don't overburden your pack with unnecessary gear

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 overburden Three midfielders did arrive, but there was an assumption Willock was going to leave, so that is part of the reason why Newcastle look overburdened in that area. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 In a letter opposing the permit for gas turbines at Colossus 1, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America warned that the project could add health risks in a region already overburdened with asthma and other respiratory problems. — Austyn Gaffney, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026 All of these projects can collectively overburden a business with compliance debt. — Keegan Crage, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The few places that can take kids like this are completely overburdened. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overburden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overburden

Verb

The network immediately got overloaded because there was a surge of customer demand that took four years to truly resolve.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
The 40-foot homemade boat was overloaded with 64 people, who panicked and jumped overboard after De La Rosa began stabbing people, a Homeland Security Investigations criminal complaint states.

— David Goodhue October 12, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overload

Verb

Later in the inning, Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia walked in the tying run (credited to starter Tyler Glasnow for having initially loaded the bases).

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Storyteller experiments with some next-generation convertible furniture designs to make the new van even more versatile and better equipped for loading up gear.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of load

Verb

Because Sand has not served in a legislative capacity, he isn’t burdened by a controversial voting record on leftist policies, as is Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who is also trying to flip a red state seat.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
There are many reasons why women do not feel able to speak up, with the top one, at 52 percent, being their not wanting to burden others.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of burden

Browse Nearby Words

overbright

overburden

overburdened

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“Overburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overburden. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overburden

verb

Example Sentences

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