Burdensome Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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burdensome
[ˈbɜːrdənsəm ]
Definition
feeling or causing difficulty or trouble
Burdensome describes something that is oppressive, heavy, or difficult to bear. It can refer to physical weight, emotional strain, or mental hardship.
Synonyms
onerous, oppressive, taxing, troublesome.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| burdensome |
Used when describing something that causes a lot of difficulty or worry.
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| oppressive |
Used when describing something that is heavy and difficult to endure, often with a negative connotation. It can also refer to unfair and harsh treatment.
|
| onerous |
Used for tasks or responsibilities that are particularly heavy and require a lot of effort or difficulty.
|
| taxing |
Used when something requires a lot of effort, energy, or resources.
|
| troublesome |
Used for describing something or someone that causes trouble or difficulties, often repetitive or annoying.
|
Examples of usage
- It was a burdensome task to carry all the groceries up the stairs.
- The high taxes were burdensome for small businesses to afford.
- She found the constant criticism to be burdensome on her self-esteem.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Feeling burdened can lead to stress and anxiety, affecting mental health and well-being.
- Research shows that people often feel overloaded when they have too many responsibilities, leading to burnout.
- Cognitive load theory suggests that having too many burdens can hinder learning and problem-solving abilities.
Literature
- In literature, burdens often symbolize the emotional or psychological struggles characters face throughout their journeys.
- The theme of burdensomeness is prevalent in classic works like 'Crime and Punishment,' where the protagonist grapples with guilt and moral burden.
- Authors often use the depiction of heavy burdens to illustrate character development and growth through hardship.
Cultural References
- In various cultures, storytelling often explores the burdens that ancestors carry, reflecting on family legacies and responsibilities.
- Proverbs like 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' hint that sharing burdens can lighten the load for everyone.
- Music and art frequently depict themes of burdens, from struggles in folk songs to heavy themes in paintings that portray societal challenges.
Usage in Language
- Commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal writing, emphasizing challenges in personal and professional contexts.
- Synonyms include 'oppressive,' 'difficult,' and 'taxing,' each carrying slightly different nuances of weight or challenge.
- It can describe physical loads as well as emotional or social responsibilities, making it a versatile word in communication.
Origin of 'burdensome'
Main points about word origin
- Originates from the Middle English word 'burdoun,' which means 'heavy load' or 'weight.'
- Related to the Old French word 'burden,' which also means a load or something that is carried.
- The prefix 'burden' has roots in the Proto-Germanic 'burðiz,' indicating something that is born or carried.
The word burdensome originated from the combination of the words 'burden' and 'some'. 'Burden' comes from the Old English 'byrthen', meaning 'a load, weight, or charge'. The suffix '-some' is used to form adjectives indicating 'characterized by' or 'full of'. Therefore, burdensome literally means 'full of burden' or 'characterized by burden'. The word has been used in English since the late 16th century.
See also: burdened, burdens, overburden, unburden.