overburden

IPA/ˌəʊvəˈbɜːdn/
KK[ˈovɚbˈɚdən]IPA/ˌəʊvərˈbɜːrdn/

overburden — verb

  • overburdenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overburdenshe / she / it
  • overburdenedpast simple
  • overburdening-ing form

1. to put so much work, weight, debt, or responsibility on a person, place, or syst

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to put so much work, weight, debt, or responsibility on a person, place, or system that it becomes hard for them to cope well.

Example

Justin worried that the extra night shifts would overburden the small clinic.

overburden + institution with too much work

New reporting rules overburdened teachers with paperwork every Friday afternoon.

overburden somebody with something

Common collocations
  • overburden a system
  • overburden staff
  • overburden hospitals with paperwork
  • overburden families with debt
  • be overburdened with work
Synonyms
  • overload

    often used for machines, systems, or schedules, especially when capacity is exceeded.

  • overwhelm

    stronger and more emotional; often focuses on feelings rather than sheer load.

  • encumber

    more formal and often used for something that restricts movement or progress.

Antonyms
  • relieve

    means to remove part of the pressure or responsibility.

  • lighten

    suggests making the load smaller or easier to manage.

Grammar Patterns

overburden somebody/something with something

be overburdened with something

Usage Note

Often used when the thing added is more than people or systems can handle sensibly. The most common pattern is 'overburden someone or something with X', and the passive form 'be overburdened with X' is frequent in reports and formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I am overburden to finish it tonight.
I am overburdened with work tonight.
Use the past participle adjective 'overburdened' for a person's condition.

overburden — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Overburden' means putting more duties, weight, debt, or demands on someone or something than can be managed comfortably. 'Overload' is often used for systems, machines, schedules, or courses when capacity is exceeded. 'Overwhelm' is broader and usually highlights a strong emotional or practical effect on a person. 'Encumber' is the most formal of the four and often suggests that something is being slowed down or made awkward by what it has to carry. In reports about work, debt, and public services, 'overburden' is the best choice when the load itself is the main point.

overburden ↗overload ↗overwhelm ↗encumber ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • overburden somebody with work
  • be overburdened with debt
  • remove overburden
  • overburden above the coal seam

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Built in English from 'over-' and 'burden'. The older noun 'burden' came through Middle English from Old English and referred to a load carried by a person, animal, or vehicle. Adding 'over-' created the idea of a load that goes beyond a safe or reasonable limit, and from that the verb and the mining noun developed.