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burden

burden

482 3.4
A heavy load or something that causes worry and difficulty
  • noun
  • /ˈbɜrdən/
translation icon : carga
  • In addition to reducing expenses and the burden on courts, efficient solutions also maximize wealth.
  • a heavy burden
  • bear the burden
  • carry a burden

This is the unfair burden put on the child.

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Examples

  • Many also felt the emotional burden of stigmatization when receiving publicly funded health services.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Some may fear placing a greater burden of care on their spouses or children.

    Academic text (2008)
  • So this is the huge burden in our jobs.

  • So that was a bit of an extra burden on time and effort.

  • Even having wealth can be a great burden to us, right?

  • This is the unfair burden put on the child.

  • So you are carrying the burden of the bills.

  • That perspective creates a heavy burden on the shoulders of our leaders.

  • Many boxcar kids left home because they felt like a burden on their parents.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The unfair burden put on the child made it difficult for him to enjoy his youth.

Synonyms

pressure
vsburden
3.1

A strong feeling of stress from difficult demands

is broader, including physical heaviness and long term hardships beyond demands
weight
vsburden
181 4.2

A strong mental feeling of pressure or burden

also includes physical heaviness and practical difficulties, not only feelings
load
vsburden
91 4.1

A heavy burden of worry or responsibility

covers both physical loads and emotional difficulties, not only mental strain
overload
vsburden
30 4.4

Too much work or information that makes you feel stressed

includes normal heavy loads or worries as well, not only excessive cases
dead weight
vsburden
  • Offensive
22 4.4

A heavy object that is hard to carry, or a burden that slows progress

is the broader term for any heavy load or source of difficulty
onus
vsburden
  • Formal
19 7.9

A difficult duty or burden someone must deal with

is wider, including physical loads and general hardships beyond duties
weight of the world
vsburden
  • Informal
13 7.3

A heavy feeling of worry and responsibility

is the general concept of a heavy load or problem, less poetic and intense
cross to bear
vsburden
8 7.2

A hard burden someone must live with

is broader, applying to any hard load, temporary or long lasting
albatross
vsburden
  • Informal
6 8.4

A heavy problem that stays and keeps causing worry or trouble

covers any heavy load or difficulty, not only a long lasting obstacle
millstone
vsburden
  • Informal
5 8.1

A heavy burden that makes life hard

is the general notion of a heavy load or cause of hardship
deadweight
vsburden
2 5.8

A person or thing that makes work slower

is the more general idea of a heavy load or worry both physical and emotional
encumbrance
vsburden
2 8.1

Something that makes life or an activity harder

is more general, including emotional worries and physical heavy loads as well
weight of responsibility
vsburden
  • Informal
1 4.9

A heavy feeling of pressure because you have important duties

is the general idea of any heavy load or source of worry
overburden
vsburden
1 6.6

A heavy load of work or problems that a person cannot manage

is the general term for any heavy load or source of worry, not only excess
incumbrance
vsburden
  • Archaic
9.9

Something that makes a task or journey harder

is broader, referring to any heavy load, worry, or hardship

Antonyms

440 1.0

A feeling of comfort when pain or worry goes away

304 1.0

A state of comfort and freedom from worry

Compounds

39 5.4

The duty to show evidence that a claim is true

An animal like a donkey or ox that people use to carry heavy loads

white man's burden
  • Offensive
1 9.9

The idea that white people must rule and civilize non-white people

How Burdensome

yoke
  • Literature
9 8.6
burden
482 3.4
onus
  • Formal
19 7.9
encumbrance
2 8.1
load
278 1.1

Surface Forms

burden singular
burdens plural

Etymology

Burden comes from an old English word meaning 'that which is carried' and is related to the verb bear 'to carry'. That's why burden can mean a heavy load or something that weighs on you, either in your body or in your feelings.