1 overburden | Definition of overburden

overburden

verb
over路​bur路​den | \ 藢艒-v蓹r-藞b蓹r-d岬妌 How to pronounce overburden (audio) \
overburdened; overburdening; overburdens

Definition of overburden

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to place an excessive burden on

overburden

noun
over路​bur路​den | \ 藞艒-v蓹r-藢b蓹r-d岬妌 How to pronounce overburden (audio) \

Definition of overburden (Entry 2 of 2)

: material overlying a deposit of useful geological materials or bedrock

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Synonyms for overburden

Synonyms: Verb

overcharge, overfill, overload

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Examples of overburden in a Sentence

Verb

She overburdened me with work. Why overburden yourself when people are offering to help?

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Reyes said any new policy should not overburden the poorest populations in Connecticut who are already challenged by environmental issues. Slade Rand, courant.com, "Lamont moves to speed up state鈥檚 response to climate change," 3 Sep. 2019 More recently, urban sprawl in Tijuana has overburdened the wastewater treatment infrastructure, sending more flows of untreated sewage into the United States. Gustavo Solis, San Diego Union-Tribune, "These six projects could fix the cross-border sewage spills," 1 Sep. 2019 Another factor in the slowing growth of tourism is overburdened infrastructure. The Economist, "A fall in the number of Chinese tourists breeds unease in Thailand," 29 Aug. 2019 Should the team be worried about one of their biggest stars being overburdened with more games with a possible playoff run on the horizon? Mike Singer, The Denver Post, "Nuggets Mailbag: Is Denver the best team in the Western Conference?," 23 Aug. 2019 Another factor in the slowing growth of tourism is overburdened infrastructure. The Economist, "A fall in the number of Chinese tourists breeds unease in Thailand," 31 Aug. 2019 Taxpayers should demand that the county live within its means without overburdening residents with additional tax obligations. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Santa Clara County plan for tax increase raises questions," 18 Aug. 2019 Lynch said wrapping Highway 67 Ad Hoc Committee鈥檚 endeavors into the Trails and Transportation Committee could overburden that committee. Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Planners fall short on filling vacancy," 7 Aug. 2019 Additionally, urban sprawl south of the border overburdens the wastewater treatment infrastructure, sending flows of raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean and prompting beach closures in Imperial Beach and Coronado. Gustavo Solis, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego representatives want $2 billion to help stop cross-border sewage flows," 22 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The working assumption was that everything would soon be crushed by the overburden of snow anyway. Jon Gertner, WIRED, "The Top Secret Cold War Project That Pulled Climate Science From the Ice," 12 June 2019 Keep in mind, the whole purpose of this was to relieve students of the overburden of exams and let teachers teach. Kristen M. Clark, miamiherald, "With Democrats upset, school testing reforms could falter again in Senate," 3 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overburden.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of overburden

Verb

1532, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for overburden

overburden

verb

English Language Learners Definition of overburden

: to give (someone or something) too much work, worry, etc. : to burden (someone or something) too much

overburden

verb
over路​bur路​den | \ 藢艒-v蓹r-藞b蓹r-d岬妌 How to pronounce overburden (audio) \
overburdened; overburdening

Kids Definition of overburden

: to burden too heavily I'm overburdened with work.

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