Meaning & use
burdened
Last updated
“burdened” is a form of “burden”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Weighed down by a heavy load, duty, worry or debt that makes life difficult.
Grammar: Usually followed by with or by: burdened with debt; more burdened is possible.
Patterns
- burdened with something
- burdened by something
She felt burdened with guilt after the argument.
The small business was burdened by high rent and rising costs.
A burdened look crossed his face as he opened the letter.
verbtransitive
Past tense or past participle of burden: put a heavy load or difficult responsibility on someone.
Grammar: Takes an object: they burdened me with their problems.
Patterns
- burdened someone with something
The new rules burdened local shops with extra paperwork.
He never burdened his children with his money worries.
The loan burdened the family for years.
Word forms
| base form | burden |
|---|---|
| third person singular | burdens |
| -ing form | burdening |
Common combinations
- burdened with debt
- Many graduates are burdened with debt.
- burdened by guilt
- He was burdened by guilt over the broken promise.
- heavily burdened
- The heavily burdened mule slowed on the steep path.
- feel burdened
- I feel burdened when too many tasks pile up.
- burdened with responsibility
- She was burdened with responsibility at a young age.
Synonyms and how they differ
- weighed down
- Weighed down is the more physical, picture-like phrase, while burdened is more often used for duties or worries.
- encumbered
- Encumbered is formal and suggests being slowed or blocked by something in your way.
- oppressed
- Oppressed is stronger and suggests harsh treatment or heavy mental pressure from outside.
- saddled
- Saddled is informal and used with with when something unwelcome has been given to you.
Opposites
Word family
- burden noun
- a heavy load or a difficult duty
- burden verb
- to load someone with a heavy weight or responsibility
- burdensome adjective
- hard to carry or deal with
- unburdened adjective
- free from a heavy load or worry
Practice
The young couple felt ___ with student loans.
Choose one answer.
Burdened with debt means weighed down by it. Relieved, rewarded and freed all suggest the opposite of being loaded with a worry.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “burdened”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.