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 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 Such a structure ensures that benefits are targeted where they are most needed without overburdening the government’s budget. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026 Fuel supply risks Adding nuclear battleships to the US defense load directly risks the AUKUS partnership by overburdening key industrial assets. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overburden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overburden

Verb

Electrical issues — like faulty wiring, overloaded power strips, and improper extension cord usage — are the leading cause of fatal fires so far this year.

— Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Expecting heavy traffic on the site, the archive has outsourced the database to external servers to avoid overloading its own.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of overload

Verb

Drones can be seen near the scene of the strike as responders load the injured onto stretchers and into emergency vehicles.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Florida’s defense, which allowed 211 yards on the ground to Missouri’s backup running back last week, will need to find a new spine (and a better way to load the box).

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of load

Verb

Higher interest rates benefit savers but burden the less solvent with 20% credit card rates and expensive auto loans, and these are the consumers most likely to cut spending.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
About 7 in 10 Hazelwood renters with household income under $50,000 are burdened.

— Ira Goldstein, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of burden

Browse Nearby Words

overbright

overburden

overburdened

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Style

“Overburden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overburden. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overburden

verb

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