Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
burden (noun)1.
a) something that is carried - load
b) - duty responsibility
2.
something oppressive or worrisome
3.
a) the bearing of a load - usually used in the phrase beast of burden
b) capacity for carrying cargo - a ship of a hundred tons burden
4.
- load worm burden cancer burden
transitive verb
- load oppress I will not burden you with a lengthy account
1.
archaic a bass or accompanying part
2.
a) - chorus refrain
b) a central topic - theme
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
burden (noun)1.
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported
SYNONIMS:
burden, cargo, draft, freight, haul, lading, loading, payload, weightRELATED WORDS:
consignment; boatload, carload, shipload, trainload, truckload, wagonload; ballast, deadweight; overload, surcharge; bale, bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel, shipment; manifest; body, bulk, mass2.
something one must do because of prior agreement
SYNONIMS:
burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do, duty, imperative, incumbency, need, office, responsibilityRELATED WORDS:
oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word; arrangement, prearrangement, setup; compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust; debt, payment, tribute; compulsion, constraint, restraint; must, requirement; coercion, duress, force; appointment, engagement, reservation; burden, onusNEAR ANTONYMS:
grace, postponement, stay; discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver; loophole; alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selectiona part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often
SYNONIMS:
burden, refrainRELATED WORDS:
repeat, response1.
to place a weight or burden on
SYNONIMS:
burden, encumber, freight, lade, laden, lumber, saddle, weightRELATED WORDS:
clog, clutter, fill, pack; heap, mound, pile, stack; press, weigh; strain, tax; overburden, overload, overtax, surcharge; hamper, handicap; afflict, oppressNEAR ANTONYMS:
alleviate, ease, lighten, relieve2.
to make sad
SYNONIMS:
bum (out), burden, dash, deject, get down, oppress, sadden, weigh downRELATED WORDS:
ail, distress, trouble; afflict, torment, torture; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dismay, dispirit, get down, unnerve; agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, disturb, exercise, freak (out), perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worryNEAR ANTONYMS:
animate, enliven, invigorate; assure, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe; excite, inspire, stimulate; elate, exhilarate; encourage, hearten; delight, gratify, please; boost, elevate, lift, uplift