Burdens: meaning, definitions and examples

⛓️

Add to dictionary

burdens

[ˈbɜːrdənz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

carry

Burdens refer to heavy loads or responsibilities that weigh someone down physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Synonyms

challenges, loads, responsibilities, troubles.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
burdens	Typically used to describe heavy or difficult responsibilities or problems that weigh someone down emotionally or physically. She felt the burdens of managing both work and home piling up The financial burdens were too much for him to handle alone
loads	Often refers to a heavy amount of work or a task, and can be used both literally and figuratively. It can imply a large quantity that needs effort to manage. She had loads of laundry to do after the trip There were loads of assignments to complete before the deadline
responsibilities	Describes tasks or duties that someone is expected or required to do, often implying a sense of duty or obligation. As a manager, he had many responsibilities to handle daily Taking care of elderly parents is a big responsibility
troubles	Refers to difficulties or problems, often with a negative connotation, suggesting issues that cause stress or anxiety. She had many troubles with her health over the years Financial troubles can cause a lot of stress and worry
challenges	Used to describe situations that test someone's ability, skills, or resources in a positive way, implying a chance for growth or improvement. Starting a new job in a different country presented many challenges The team faced several challenges but overcame them successfully

Examples of usage

Her burdens became too much to bear.
He felt the weight of his burdens on his shoulders.
The burdens of caring for her sick mother were taking a toll on her.
Despite his burdens, he remained resilient.
She struggled under the burdens of debt and work.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

saddle

To burden someone is to saddle them with a heavy load or responsibility.

Synonyms

encumber, load, saddle, weigh down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
burdens	Used to describe something that causes stress or difficulty and is typically of a mental or emotional nature. He felt the burdens of leadership weighing heavily on his shoulders. She shared her burdens with her friends to feel lighter.
saddle	Typically used metaphorically to indicate placing a burden or responsibility on someone, suggesting that it may be unfair or unwanted. They tried to saddle him with the blame for the project's failure. She was saddled with extra work because her colleague was sick.
load	Commonly used to describe a physical weight or burden, like cargo or a heavy task, but can also refer to non-physical responsibilities. The truck was loaded with heavy machinery. He has a heavy load of assignments to complete this week.
encumber	Often used in a more formal context to describe being hindered or weighed down by obstacles, both tangible and intangible. The athlete was encumbered by injuries during his career. She felt encumbered by the multitude of duties at work.
weigh down	Used to describe the feeling of being physically or mentally pressed down by worries, responsibilities, or other burdens. He felt weighed down by the constant pressure to succeed. The heavy bags weighed her down on her way to the bus stop.

Examples of usage

She didn't want to burden him with her problems.
He felt burdened by the expectations placed on him.
Parents often burden themselves with guilt over their children's mistakes.
Don't burden yourself with things that are out of your control.
The decision to burden him with the task was not taken lightly.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word comes from the Old English 'byrdian,' which meant to carry or bear a load.
In medieval times, burdens often referred to taxes or duties owed to a lord, reflecting the weighty responsibilities of society.
By the 14th century, the word had evolved to describe both physical loads and metaphorical emotional weights.

Psychology

Carrying emotional burdens can lead to stress and mental fatigue, impacting overall well-being.
Therapeutic practices often encourage sharing burdens as a way to lighten emotional distress.
The concept of burdens in psychology relates to how individuals perceive difficult situations and their ability to cope.

Literature

Many classic novels explore themes of burdens, illustrating characters’ struggles with societal expectations and personal dilemmas.
Burden-bearing is a common motif in poetry, often symbolizing the human condition and life's hardships.
In allegorical works, burdens often represent moral or ethical challenges that heroes must overcome.

Culture

Different cultures have various rituals to help individuals cope with their burdens, such as storytelling or community gatherings.
Songs and folk tales often depict the sharing of burdens as a way to foster community support and resilience.
In some traditions, acknowledging one’s burdens publicly can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.

Economics

In economics, burdens often refer to the financial responsibilities individuals or businesses face, such as debts or taxes.
The concept of 'burden of proof' in law relates to the responsibilities placed on individuals in legal scenarios.
Economic theories sometimes discuss the balance between individual burdens and societal support systems.

Translations

Translations of the word "burdens" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fardos

encargos
cargas

🇮🇳 भार

जिम्मेदारियाँ
बोझ

🇩🇪 Lasten

Bürden
Belastungen

🇮🇩 beban

tanggung jawab
kesulitan

🇺🇦 тягарі

обов'язки
навантаження

🇵🇱 ciężary

obowiązki
obciążenia

🇯🇵 重荷 (おもに)

負担 (ふたん)
荷物 (にもつ)

🇫🇷 fardeaux

charges
responsabilités

🇪🇸 cargas

responsabilidades
pesos

🇹🇷 yükler

sorumluluklar
ağırlıklar

🇰🇷 짐

부담
책임

🇸🇦 أعباء

مسؤوليات
أحمال

🇨🇿 břemena

povinnosti
zatížení

🇸🇰 bremená

povinnosti
zaťaženia

🇨🇳 负担 (fùdān)

责任 (zérèn)
重荷 (zhònghé)

🇸🇮 bremena

odgovornosti
obremenitve

🇮🇸 byrðar

skyldur
þyngsli

🇰🇿 ауыртпалықтар

міндеттер
жүктемелер

🇬🇪 ტვირთები

პასუხისმგებლობები
დატვირთვები

🇦🇿 yükümlülüklər

məsuliyyətlər
yüklər

🇲🇽 cargas

responsabilidades
pesos

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,325 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7322 chip
7323 swift
7324 sore
7325 burdens
7326 catching
7327 rupture
7328 demographic
...