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Unburden Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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?

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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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'unburden'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

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.