Unburden: meaning, definitions and examples

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unburden

[ʌnˈbɜːdn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

emotional relief

To relieve or free someone of a burden or something oppressive. To remove a load or burden from someone.

Synonyms

release, relieve, unload.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unburden	This word is used when someone is freeing themselves from emotional or mental stress by talking about their problems or feelings. She felt the need to unburden herself to a close friend. He finally unburdened his worries to his therapist.
relieve	This is commonly used when someone's pain, burden, or stress is reduced or eliminated. The medicine helped relieve her headache. Talking to friends can relieve stress.
release	This term is often employed when something is set free from confinement or restraint or when there's a discharge of emotions or substances. They decided to release the captured bird. Crying can be a good way to release pent-up emotions.
unload	This word is used mainly when removing a physical load from a vehicle or unloading emotional or mental burdens, often abruptly or with a sense of finality. They began to unload the truck full of supplies. He unloaded all his frustrations on his poor friend.

Examples of usage

She felt unburdened after sharing her feelings with her friend.
He unburdened himself of the guilt that had been weighing on him for years.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

confession

To confess or confide in someone about something that has been troubling you. To open up and share a secret or burden.

Synonyms

confess, reveal, share.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unburden	It can also signify laying off responsibilities or duties, often used in an emotional or psychological sense to indicate relief. He felt unburdened once he handed over the responsibilities to the new manager. Talking to a therapist helped her unburden some of the stresses she had been carrying.
confess	Appropriate when someone is admitting to something, often a wrongdoing or a secret that they have kept. Has a negative connotation. He finally confessed to the crime after hours of questioning. She confessed that she had made a mistake on the project.
reveal	Best for situations where new information or secrets are being made known, often unexpectedly or with some kind of impact. The magician's trick was revealed to the astonishment of the audience. She revealed her new project during the meeting.
share	Ideal for neutral or positive contexts where someone wants to provide information, thoughts, or experiences with others. He shared his travel photos with his friends. She shared her ideas openly with the team.

Examples of usage

She unburdened herself to her therapist about her childhood trauma.
He unburdened to his best friend about the struggles he was facing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The prefix 'un-' is used to indicate a negative or opposite effect, while 'burden' comes from Old French 'burdun', meaning load.
The term has been in use since the late 14th century, showing the longstanding concept of relieving oneself of stress or responsibility.

Psychology

In therapeutic practices, discussing feelings can help individuals 'unburden' themselves, leading to improved mental health.
Journaling is a common technique to 'unburden' thoughts, providing clarity and relief from emotional weight.

Literature

In many stories, characters find peace after 'unburdening' themselves from secrets, often leading to personal growth.
Works like 'The Catcher in the Rye' explore the idea of unburdening through the protagonist's struggle with his feelings.

Pop Culture

Songs often explore themes of unburdening through lyrics about love, loss, and finding relief from emotional pain.
Movies frequently depict climactic moments where characters confront their past, symbolically 'unburdening' themselves for a fresh start.

Philosophy

Philosophers often discuss the importance of letting go of burdensome thoughts to achieve a state of mindfulness and peace.
The concept aligns with ideas in Buddhism, where releasing attachments is seen as a path to enlightenment.

Translations

Translations of the word "unburden" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aliviar

🇮🇳 भारमुक्त करना

🇩🇪 entlasten

🇮🇩 melepaskan beban

🇺🇦 звільнити від тягаря

🇵🇱 odciążyć

🇯🇵 負担を軽くする

🇫🇷 alléger

🇪🇸 aliviar

🇹🇷 yükünü hafifletmek

🇰🇷 짐을 덜다

🇸🇦 تخفيف العبء

🇨🇿 ulevit

🇸🇰 odbremeniť

🇨🇳 减轻负担

🇸🇮 razbremeniti

🇮🇸 létta byrði

🇰🇿 жүкті жеңілдету

🇬🇪 ტვირთის მოხსნა

🇦🇿 yükü azaltmaq

🇲🇽 aliviar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,374 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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33371 captioning
33372 prenatally
33373 impersonated
33374 unburden
33375 reprieved
33376 guillotined
33377 panzer
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