burdened

Everyday

1. Carrying a heavy load. tree →
2. Weighed down by worries, duties, debts or problems. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and adult life to describe someone weighed down, like a family burdened with debt or a hiker burdened with a heavy pack. Phrases: burdened with, burdened by, heavily burdened.

Examples

• The hikers were burdened with heavy backpacks. tree →
• He felt burdened by the secret. tree →
• Families can be burdened with debt. tree →
• The camel was burdened with goods for the market. tree →
• She was burdened with too much work. tree →
• Don't feel burdened; we'll help you. tree →
• The old tree was burdened by snow. tree →

Note

Followed by "with" (things) or "by" (worries). Opposite: unburdened, free. Pronounced BUR-dend.

In Jewish tradition

In Isaiah, God says Israel did not "burden" Him with offerings, but burdened Him with sins. It means to load someone with trouble.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as God's complaint that sacrifices without a good heart count for nothing. It is the sins that weigh on Him, not the offerings.

Examples

• I have not burdened thee with a meal-offering, nor wearied thee with frankincense. (Prophets ISA.43.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou satisfied Me with the fat of thy sacrifices; but thou hast burdened Me with thy sins, thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities. (Prophets ISA.43.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Followed by "with" (things) or "by" (worries). Opposite: unburdened, free. Pronounced BUR-dend.