English Synonyms for Burden and Stress Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!

abscess (noun) /ˈæb sɛs/
Meaning: It is characterized by a swollen, painful, and inflamed area filled with a mixture of dead tissue, white blood cells, and bacteria.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abscess?
Options: infection; health; wellness; purity
Answer: infection
Synonyms: blister; boil; cyst; growth; infection; inflammation; lesion; lump; pustule; sore; swelling; ulcer
Example: "She had to undergo surgery to drain the painful abscess."

ailing (adjective) /ˈeɪlɪŋ/
Meaning: When an individual is referred to as ailing, it implies that they are unwell, suffering from an illness, or facing health challenges.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to ailing?
Options: sickly; healthy; robust; strong
Answer: sickly
Synonyms: debilitated; diseased; faltering; frail; indisposed; infirm; poorly; sick; sickly; unwell; weak
Example: "The ailing business was struggling to keep up with its competitors."

asphyxiate (verb) /əsˈfɪksɪeɪt/
Meaning: This can occur when the airway is obstructed or when oxygen levels are depleted, either due to environmental factors or other causes.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to asphyxiate?
Options: suffocate; breathe; ventilate; respire
Answer: suffocate
Synonyms: choke; drown; gag; garrote; quash; smother; stifle; strangle; throttle
Example: "Without proper ventilation, a person could asphyxiate in a confined space."

burden (noun) /ˈbəːdn/
Meaning: It can be both physical and metaphorical in nature.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to burden?
Options: load; relief; ease; lightness
Answer: load
Synonyms: commitment; constraint; difficulty; duty; encumbrance; obligation; promise; vow; weight
Example: "The burden of student loans can be overwhelming for recent graduates."

cockiness (noun) /ˈkɒkɪnɪs/
Meaning: It denotes a sense of overconfidence or a display of superiority, often accompanied by a disregard for others' opinions or a tendency to boast about one's accomplishments.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to cockiness?
Options: arrogance; humility; modesty; shyness
Answer: arrogance
Synonyms: arrogance; boastfulness; braggadocio; conceit; haughtiness; hubris; overconfidence; smugness; superiority; swagger; vanity
Example: "His cockiness became evident as he boasted about his achievements to everyone."

compulsion (noun) /kəmˈpʌlʃ(ə)n/
Meaning: It is an overwhelming and persistent desire to act in a certain way, despite the negative consequences.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to compulsion?
Options: impulse; freedom; choice; voluntariness
Answer: impulse
Synonyms: coercion; drive; force; impulse; necessity; obligation; obsession; preoccupation; pressure
Example: "He had a strong compulsion to finish the puzzle, no matter how long it took."

demanding (adjective) /dɪˈmæn dɪŋ/
Meaning: It implies that the task, situation, or person presents challenges or expectations that are difficult to fulfill.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to demanding?
Options: challenging; effortless; easy; undemanding
Answer: challenging
Synonyms: arduous; challenging; difficult; exacting; laborious; onerous; rigorous; strenuous; taxing; trying
Example: "Her job as a surgeon is demanding, requiring long hours and precise attention to detail."

depression (noun) /dɪˈprɛʃn/
Meaning: It can also cause physical symptoms such as changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to depression?
Options: despondency; happiness; joy; elation
Answer: despondency
Synonyms: bleakness; blues; dejection; desolation; despair; despondence; despondency; downheartedness; gloom; heartache; hopelessness; melancholy
Example: "The therapy sessions helped her cope with her depression."

desperate (adjective) /ˈdɛs pər ɪt/
Meaning: It conveys a strong sense of emotional distress, often accompanied by a willingness to do anything to alleviate a difficult or dire situation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to desperate?
Options: frantic; calm; content; patient
Answer: frantic
Synonyms: anguished; critical; desolate; dire; distressed; exigent; forlorn; frantic; hopeless; needy; urgent
Example: "She made a desperate plea for help as the flames engulfed her home."

disorder (noun) /dɪsˈɔr dər/
Meaning: It typically involves a deviation from the normal or expected patterns, causing distress, impairment, or dysfunction in various aspects of an individual's life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disorder?
Options: chaos; order; organization; harmony
Answer: chaos
Synonyms: chaos; confusion; disarray; disorganization; disruption; dysfunction; imbalance; irregularity; mayhem; turmoil; unrest; upheaval
Example: "The doctor diagnosed him with a sleep disorder, explaining his constant fatigue and insomnia."

disquiet (noun) /dɪsˈkwaɪət/
Meaning: It describes a feeling of inner turmoil or disturbance, often resulting from worry, apprehension, or uncertainty about a situation or future events.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disquiet?
Options: unease; calm; tranquility; peace
Answer: unease
Synonyms: agitation; anxiety; apprehension; apprehensiveness; disconcertment; disturbance; nervousness; perturbation; restiveness; restlessness; turmoil; unease
Example: "The strange noises in the old house filled the visitors with disquiet."

distress (noun) /dɪˈstrɛs/
Meaning: It represents a condition of emotional or physical anguish that arises from challenging or adverse circumstances.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to distress?
Options: anguish; comfort; relief; contentment
Answer: anguish
Synonyms: adversity; affliction; agony; anguish; despair; discomfort; hardship; misfortune; pain; suffering; torment; trouble
Example: "The news of the accident caused great distress among the family members."

dreadful (adjective) /ˈdrɛd fəl/
Meaning: It implies a sense of deep dread or apprehension, often associated with something that is terrible, horrifying, or disturbing.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dreadful?
Options: terrifying; delightful; pleasant; wonderful
Answer: terrifying
Synonyms: abominable; alarming; appalling; awful; frightful; ghastly; gruesome; horrific; horrifying; shocking; terrible; terrifying
Example: "The storm outside was dreadful, with howling winds and torrential rain."

encumbrance (noun) /ɪnˈkʌmbr(ə)ns/
Meaning: It can be used to describe a wide range of things, including financial obligations, legal restrictions, or physical objects that impede movement or progress.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to encumbrance?
Options: hindrance; aid; assistance; help
Answer: hindrance
Synonyms: burden; handicap; hurdle; impediment; inconvenience; liability; obstacle; obstruction; restraint
Example: "The mortgage on the property was an encumbrance that made it difficult to sell."

entitlement (noun) /ɛnˈtaɪ tl mənt/
Meaning: It is a perception that one is inherently entitled to certain advantages or treatment without necessarily earning or deserving them.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to entitlement?
Options: privilege; disadvantage; disqualification; exclusion
Answer: privilege
Synonyms: advantage; authority; birthright; claim; dispensation; franchise; immunity; license; permission; prerogative; privilege; right
Example: "The entitlement of free speech is a fundamental right in democratic societies."

falter (verb) /ˈfɔltər/
Meaning: When someone falters, they experience a temporary interruption or uncertainty in their progress, often due to doubt, fear, or a lack of determination.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to falter?
Options: hesitate; persevere; continue; persist
Answer: hesitate
Synonyms: delay; flounder; halt; pause; stagger; stammer; totter; tremble; tumble; vacillate; wait; wobble
Example: "She doesn't falter in the face of challenges; instead, she thrives."

fatigue (noun) /fəˈtiːɡ/
Meaning: It can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical exertion, lack of sleep, and emotional stress.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to fatigue?
Options: exhaustion; energy; vitality; refreshment
Answer: exhaustion
Synonyms: debility; enervation; ennui; languor; lassitude; lethargy; weakness; weariness
Example: "Chronic fatigue can be a symptom of many different medical conditions."

forbearance (noun) /fɔrˈbɛər əns/
Meaning: It is the ability to withstand adversity, delay gratification, or endure hardship with composure and understanding.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to forbearance?
Options: patience; impatience; intolerance; hastiness
Answer: patience
Synonyms: control; clemency; composure; endurance; leniency; magnanimity; moderation; patience; resilience; restraint; tolerance; understanding
Example: "His forbearance in the face of criticism impressed everyone around him."

forbearing (adjective) /fɔːʳbeərɪŋ/
Meaning: It signifies a calm and composed attitude, even in the face of provocation or adversity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to forbearing?
Options: tolerant; impatient; intolerant; impulsive
Answer: tolerant
Synonyms: calm; composed; enduring; forgiving; indulgent; lenient; magnanimous; patient; tolerant; understanding; unflappable
Example: "Despite the challenging circumstances, she remained forbearing and handled the situation with grace."

gaslight (verb) /ˈɡæslaɪt/
Meaning: It is a form of psychological manipulation aimed at distorting another person's reality and undermining their confidence and sense of self.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to gaslight?
Options: manipulate; reassure; affirm; validate
Answer: manipulate
Synonyms: bamboozle; confuse; deceive; delude; distort; falsify; manipulate; mislead; trick; undermine
Example: "She tried to gaslight him into thinking he was the one who forgot their anniversary."

grapple (verb) /ˈɡrapl/
Meaning: Grappling typically involves two individuals trying to overpower each other, using their strength and skill to gain an advantage.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to grapple?
Options: wrestle; release; avoid; surrender
Answer: wrestle
Synonyms: battle; combat; confront; encounter; engage; fight; scuffle; struggle; tackle; tussle; wrestle
Example: "The fearless warrior had to grapple with the mighty dragon, wielding a gleaming sword."

harrow (verb) /ˈhær oʊ/
Meaning: When one is harrowed, they experience intense anguish, sorrow, or mental anguish as a result of a traumatic or distressing event, situation, or realization.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to harrow?
Options: distress; comfort; soothe; reassure
Answer: distress
Synonyms: afflict; agonize; distress; disturb; perturb; plague; rack; torment; trouble; unsettle; vex
Example: "The shocking news of his friend's sudden demise continued to harrow him for days."

heartbreak (noun) /ˈhɑrtˌbreɪk/
Meaning: It represents the overwhelming sense of loss, disappointment, and devastation that engulfs a person when a cherished relationship ends, encounters betrayal, or faces insurmountable challenges.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to heartbreak?
Options: anguish; joy; happiness; contentment
Answer: anguish
Synonyms: affliction; agony; anguish; despair; devastation; grief; misery; pain; sadness; sorrow; torment; woe
Example: "He couldn't bear the heartbreak of his best friend's betrayal, feeling like a knife had been twisted in his chest."

impoverish (verb) /ɪmˈpɒv ər ɪʃ/
Meaning: When individuals, communities, or nations are impoverished, they experience a significant decline in their standard of living and face difficulties in meeting their basic needs.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to impoverish?
Options: deprive; enrich; enhance; prosper
Answer: deprive
Synonyms: bankrupt; decimate; deplete; devalue; diminish; drain; exhaust; ruin; starve; strip; undermine; weaken
Example: "Policies that raise taxes excessively can impoverish hardworking citizens."

inoperable (adjective) /ɪnˈɒp ər ə bəl/
Meaning: It is commonly used in the context of medical conditions or diseases that cannot be remedied through surgical intervention.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to inoperable?
Options: nonfunctional; functional; operable; repairable
Answer: nonfunctional
Synonyms: disabled; futile; impossible; impracticable; incapacitated; ineffective; nonfunctional; nonoperative; nonviable; unserviceable; unworkable; useless
Example: "The patient's tumor was determined to be inoperable due to its extensive spread."

insomnia (noun) /ɪnˈsɒmnɪə/
Meaning: People with insomnia often have trouble falling asleep at night, waking up frequently during the night, or waking up too early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to insomnia?
Options: sleeplessness; restfulness; somnolence; sound sleep
Answer: sleeplessness
Synonyms: restive; restlessness; sleeplessness; unrest; vigil; wake; wakeful; wakefulness
Example: "Her insomnia kept her tossing and turning throughout the night."

inundated (adjective) /ˈɪn ənˌdeɪ tɪd/
Meaning: It describes a situation in which there is an excessive influx or overwhelming presence of people, tasks, information, or requests.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to inundated?
Options: overwhelmed; unburdened; underwhelmed; dry
Answer: overwhelmed
Synonyms: besieged; bombarded; buried; deluged; drowned; engulfed; flooded; overrun; overwhelmed; saturated; swamped
Example: "After the announcement, the customer service team was inundated with phone calls."

liability (noun) /ˌlaɪ əˈbɪl ɪ ti/
Meaning: It represents the potential for a person or organization to incur costs, losses, or legal consequences due to their actions, decisions, or contractual agreements.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to liability?
Options: responsibility; asset; immunity; exoneration
Answer: responsibility
Synonyms: accountability; burden; charge; commitment; debt; disadvantage; drawback; encumbrance; handicap; obligation; onus; responsibility
Example: "The company's liability insurance covers any potential accidents or injuries that may occur on their premises."

onerous (adjective) /ˈəʊn(ə)rəs/
Meaning: It suggests that the task or responsibility is arduous and may require a significant amount of effort or work to complete.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to onerous?
Options: burdensome; effortless; easy; light
Answer: burdensome
Synonyms: arduous; challenging; demanding; difficult; laborious; rigorous; strenuous; taxing; trying
Example: "The onerous task of cleaning the entire house fell on her shoulders."

outburst (noun) /ˈaʊtˌbɜrst/
Meaning: It is a noun that encapsulates the act of expressing one's feelings or thoughts in an uncontrolled and explosive manner.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to outburst?
Options: eruption; calm; tranquility; peace
Answer: eruption
Synonyms: burst; commotion; eruption; explosion; fit; frenzy; outbreak; rage; surge; tantrum
Example: "Her outburst of laughter echoed through the room, contagious and joyful."

purgatory (noun) /ˈpəːɡət(ə)ri/
Meaning: Purgatory is the belief that there is a state or place after death where the souls of those who have died in the state of grace, but have not yet been fully purified, undergo a process of purification before they can enter heaven.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to purgatory?
Options: limbo; heaven; paradise; bliss
Answer: limbo
Synonyms: abyss; hades; hell; inferno; limbo; misery; torture; underworld
Example: "Catholics believe in the existence of purgatory as a state of purification."

rapacious (adjective) /rəˈpeɪʃəs/
Meaning: It is characterized by a strong desire to acquire or control more than one needs, or by using means that are considered morally or legally wrong to acquire what one wants.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to rapacious?
Options: greedy; generous; charitable; altruistic
Answer: greedy
Synonyms: acquisitive; avaricious; covetous; extortionate; gluttonous; grasping; greedy; insatiable; materialistic; mercenary; predatory; voracious
Example: "The rapacious CEO cut employee benefits to boost his own bonus."

remorse (noun) /rɪˈmɔːs/
Meaning: When we use the term "remorse," we emphasize the emotional and moral turmoil that an individual experiences when they come to terms with their wrongdoing.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to remorse?
Options: guilt; indifference; unconcern; insensitivity
Answer: guilt
Synonyms: anguish; compunction; contrition; grief; penitence; pity; repentance; shame; sorrow
Example: "The cheating student felt deep remorse for their dishonesty and apologized to the teacher."

removal (noun) /rɪˈmu vəl/
Meaning: It implies the deliberate action of getting rid of or extracting something that is no longer desired, necessary, or appropriate.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to removal?
Options: elimination; addition; inclusion; insertion
Answer: elimination
Synonyms: annihilation; clearance; deletion; displacement; disposal; elimination; eradication; evacuation; exclusion; extraction; purging; withdrawal
Example: "The removal of graffiti brightened the walls, breathing life into the alley."

remove (verb) /rɪˈmuv/
Meaning: It involves physically or conceptually detaching or separating an object, substance, or person from its original place or condition.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to remove?
Options: extract; insert; add; implant
Answer: extract
Synonyms: clear; delete; detach; displace; eliminate; eradicate; expel; extract; strip; take; uninstall; withdraw
Example: "Please remove your shoes before entering the house."

servitude (noun) /ˈsəːvɪtjuːd/
Meaning: Servitude can take many forms, such as slavery, forced labor, debt bondage, or other forms of involuntary servitude.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to servitude?
Options: bondage; freedom; liberation; independence
Answer: bondage
Synonyms: bondage; confinement; enslavement; obedience; serfdom; slavery; subjugation; vassalage
Example: "The slaves endured a life of servitude under their oppressive masters."

shortage (noun) /ˈʃɔr tɪdʒ/
Meaning: It signifies a deficiency or insufficiency in the amount of a particular resource, product, or commodity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to shortage?
Options: deficiency; surplus; abundance; excess
Answer: deficiency
Synonyms: dearth; deficit; drought; famine; inadequacy; insufficiency; lack; paucity; rarity; scarcity; shortfall; undersupply
Example: "The pandemic caused a shortage of medical supplies, including masks and ventilators."

sickly (adjective) /ˈsɪk li/
Meaning: It suggests a lack of vigor or vitality and conveys a sense of being easily susceptible to illness or experiencing frequent health issues.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sickly?
Options: unhealthy; robust; healthy; strong
Answer: unhealthy
Synonyms: ailing; delicate; feeble; frail; infirm; languid; pallid; peaky; sallow; unwell; wan; weakly
Example: "The sickly plant struggled to thrive despite careful care and attention."

snub (verb) /snʌb/
Meaning: When someone is snubbed, they are intentionally disregarded or given a cold shoulder, often as a means of displaying superiority, asserting dominance, or expressing disapproval.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to snub?
Options: ignore; acknowledge; embrace; welcome
Answer: ignore
Synonyms: avoid; dismiss; disregard; ignore; ostracize; overlook; rebuff; reject; repudiate; slight; spurn
Example: "I didn't mean to snub your ideas, but I was short on time."

surrender (verb) /səˈrɛn dər/
Meaning: It entails accepting defeat, acknowledging the inability to resist or continue a struggle, and submitting to the will or power of another.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to surrender?
Options: capitulate; resist; fight; withstand
Answer: capitulate
Synonyms: acquiesce; bow; capitulate; cede; concede; relent; resign; submit; yield
Example: "He refused to surrender his principles in the face of opposition."

swamped (adjective) /swɒmpt/
Meaning: It suggests a feeling of being excessively busy or burdened, often to the point of struggling to keep up with or manage everything effectively.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to swamped?
Options: overwhelmed; unburdened; clear; free
Answer: overwhelmed
Synonyms: besieged; bombarded; buried; drowned; engulfed; flooded; inundated; overloaded; overwhelmed; saturated; suffocated
Example: "She was swamped with work and had to pull an all-nighter to meet the deadline."

taxing (adjective) /ˈtæk sɪŋ/
Meaning: When describing something as taxing, it suggests that it requires a significant amount of effort, energy, or concentration to accomplish or endure.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to taxing?
Options: burdensome; effortless; easy; simple
Answer: burdensome
Synonyms: arduous; burdensome; challenging; demanding; draining; exacting; grueling; laborious; onerous; rigorous; tiresome; wearisome
Example: "The challenging math problem was taxing for the students to solve."

tedious (adjective) /ˈtidiəs/
Meaning: When we characterize something as tedious, we emphasize its capacity to be dull and draining, suggesting that it requires excessive patience and endurance to complete.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to tedious?
Options: boring; exciting; thrilling; engaging
Answer: boring
Synonyms: dreary; dull; fatiguing; humdrum; laborious; unexciting; uninteresting; vapid; wearisome
Example: "The tedious task of data entry, requiring hours of monotonous keystrokes, left employees weary."

torture (noun) /ˈtɔr tʃər/
Meaning: It involves the intentional act of causing extreme agony, distress, or torment as a means of punishment, coercion, interrogation, or sadistic pleasure.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to torture?
Options: torment; comfort; solace; relieve
Answer: torment
Synonyms: abuse; affliction; agony; anguish; cruelty; maltreatment; ordeal; pain; persecution; suffering; torment
Example: "The survivor of torture experienced long-lasting physical and emotional scars."

unfriendly (adjective) /ʌnˈfrɛnd li/
Meaning: It characterizes a person or environment as not being supportive, helpful, or accommodating.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to unfriendly?
Options: hostile; friendly; amiable; welcoming
Answer: hostile
Synonyms: aloof; antagonistic; cold; distant; hostile; inhospitable; standoffish; unamiable; unapproachable; unkind; unsympathetic; unwelcoming
Example: "The receptionist at the hotel gave us an unfriendly glare when we approached the front desk."

unrest (noun) /ʌnˈrɛst/
Meaning: It is often characterized by public expressions of discontent, such as protests, demonstrations, or strikes, which may stem from various underlying factors.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to unrest?
Options: disturbance; peace; calm; tranquility
Answer: disturbance
Synonyms: agitation; discord; disorder; disquiet; dissent; instability; rebellion; strife; tumult; turmoil; unease; upheaval
Example: "The government's policies sparked public unrest, leading to mass protests across the country."

unsettled (adjective) /ʌnˈsɛt ld/
Meaning: It suggests a lack of resolution or clarity, often accompanied by a feeling of disquiet or restlessness.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to unsettled?
Options: unstable; stable; settled; steady
Answer: unstable
Synonyms: agitated; ambiguous; disquieted; fluctuating; restless; turbulent; uncertain; uneasy; unresolved; unstable; unsteady; volatile
Example: "The dark clouds and gusty winds created an unsettled atmosphere, hinting at an impending storm."

uptight (adjective) /ˈʌpˈtaɪt/
Meaning: When someone is described as uptight, it suggests that they have a rigid and inflexible demeanor, often exhibiting a lack of spontaneity and a tendency to worry excessively about trivial matters.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to uptight?
Options: tense; relaxed; easygoing; laid-back
Answer: tense
Synonyms: anxious; constrained; formal; inflexible; nervous; overwrought; rigid; strict; tense; uptense; worrisome
Example: "She always seemed uptight, constantly worrying about every little detail."

xenophobic (adjective) /ˌzɛn əˈfoʊ bɪk/
Meaning: It signifies a deep-seated aversion or hostility towards individuals perceived as foreigners or outsiders.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to xenophobic?
Options: prejudiced; accepting; open-minded; tolerant
Answer: prejudiced
Synonyms: biased; bigoted; chauvinistic; discriminatory; ethnocentric; insular; intolerant; jingoistic; nativist; prejudiced; racist
Example: "Xenophobic sentiments have no place in a diverse and inclusive society."