Meaning & use

burden

noun·Academic

A heavy load, responsibility, or source of hardship that is difficult to carry or bear.

See it in a sentence

Caring for both children and aging parents became a heavy burden for her.

The new tax was seen as an unfair burden on small business owners.

A note on using this word

Burden can describe a literal physical load, but is far more often used figuratively for emotional, financial, or practical strain.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

reliefease

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