Unburden: meaning, definitions and examples

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unburden

 

[ ʌnˈbɜːdn ]

Verb
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?

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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?

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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.

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

Etymology

The word 'unburden' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'burden,' which comes from Old English 'byrthen' meaning 'a load, weight, or charge.' The concept of unburdening oneself has been a part of human communication and emotional expression for centuries, as people seek relief from their burdens by sharing them with others.

See also: burdened, burdens, burdensome, overburden.

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.