burdens

NOUN

mental weight; stress

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxiety concern difficulty duty hardship load onus responsibility strain task tax trouble worry

STRONG

accountability affliction albatross blame care charge clog encumbrance grievance hindrance millstone misfortune mishap obstruction punishment sorrow trial work

WEAK

Herculean task ball and chain deadweight excess baggage thorn in one's side weary load

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit blessing calmness contentment ease happiness help irresponsibility peace tranquility

STRONG

encouragement exculpation exoneration praise promotion relief

VERB

encumber, strain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afflict bother depress encumber hamper hinder lade oppress overload overwhelm weigh down

STRONG

crush cumber impede load obligate overcharge pile press snow strain tax trouble try vex worry

WEAK

bear down on dish it out dish out dump on give it to make heavy saddle with snow under stick it to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist cheer comfort delight encourage further help make happy permit please promote

STRONG

release soothe unburden

WEAK

relieve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The differences that make humans special are treated as burdens by chatbots.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

While these criticisms are valid, many of these issues — particularly heavy debt burdens — also apply to China, Japan and many European nations.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 28, 2026

Having "something to lighten all the burdens that we're dealing with day by day is incredible," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

The size of the loans also has ballooned, increasing payment burdens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

These fantasies gave Ajarry comfort when her burdens were such to splinter her into a thousand pieces.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead