Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

overburden

[oh-ver-bur-dn, oh-ver-bur-dn] / ˌoʊ vərˈbɜr dn, ˈoʊ vərˌbɜr dn /
VERB
overload
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST


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.

See Examples For:

In the end, some 125 took the offer, threatening to overburden a corps already struggling to inspect even a sliver of the nation’s 130,000 licensed firearms dealers.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

Override foes said a hefty property tax jump would overburden residents, particularly seniors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

It says the overburden mounds were constructed to an approved design in compliance with regulations and had been monitored by a specialist.

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025

They won’t overburden him the way the Angels have, or the way many other teams would.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2023

I helped my parents carry their tools, and they walked ahead so straight, each carrying a basket or a hoe not to overburden me, their tears falling privately.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

He occasionally overburdens the reader with minutiae of political and organizational rivalries and is more workman than stylist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

This simultaneously overburdens and disempowers the lower courts.

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2025

That means tools such as vaccines will be prioritized; but in countries where dengue is endemic, the rainy season completely overburdens their health systems and what they desperately need are treatments, said Crockett.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 4, 2023

Laura Cantrell is an emphatic single-syllable rhymer, a classic-minded country singer who never overburdens a song: Her last album was a collection of Kitty Wells covers, and that’s about as contemporary as her tastes run.

From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2014

In conferring grades and passing examinations, it arranges and overburdens the school program of study; hence, it incites in others what it practices at home, the over-training of youth, and a factitious, hot-house education.

From The Modern Regime, Volume 2 by John Durand

“I know what it’s like to feel neglected by an overburdened system, and I know how difficult transitioning to adult life and seeking higher education can be,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

"I think the process is for profit, not for justice - it won't actually solve the issue of littering, and now the justice system is being overburdened," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

They say that overburdened European health systems and reimbursement cuts in China add to the pressure on sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

The industry went through a difficult time in the 2010s because of overburdened balance sheets, and now many companies are staying lean to be flexible for the future.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

Faint to my ears came the gathered rumour of all lands: the springing and the dying, the song and the weeping, and the slow everlasting groan of overburdened stone.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

However, opponents said the proposals risked overburdening already stretched services.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2025

As an advocate for better food in schools and hospitals, she sees her love of “cheats” as a tool to help institutions create better meals without overburdening their staff.

From Salon ● Dec. 9, 2024

He said $1.35 billion comes close to the city’s need while not overburdening people on fixed incomes.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 4, 2024

Its creators wanted to avoid overburdening the Weather Service’s computing system, so it does not include as many variables as a private company’s proprietary one might, he said.

From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

Imprudently overburdening themselves with prisoners, they found there were in263 the place 400 soldiers from Lima, 200 armed townsmen, and 300 men garrisoning the fort.

From The Monarchs of the Main, Volume II (of 3) Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers by Walter Thornbury




Vocabulary lists containing overburden


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training