1
as in discharged
to empty or rid of cargo
the dockworkers unloaded the ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dumped
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
I can't seem to unload this old car—even the charities won't take it!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of unloaded
In middle age, though, the only seaway Melville encountered was the brackish Hudson and his journeys consisted of tabulating the wool unloaded from Manchester, rum from Havana, and tea from Calcutta.
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Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
The girl told investigators Harbison placed the firearm on the center console and told her it was unloaded.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Jan. 2026
Matthews then unloaded on what his tax dollars shouldn’t be used for.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
The one where Hurts faked a handoff to Saquon Barkley, dropped back and unloaded a 46-yard strike to DeVonta Smith that was the final — well, dagger — in the Chiefs' bid for a three-peat and sent the Eagles on the way to the franchise's second Super Bowl championship.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Lindsell Train unloaded 780,000 shares, or 18% of its stake, during the 2025 fourth quarter.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Stretch, the warehouse robot launched in 2023, has unloaded more than 20 million boxes globally, taking on physically demanding work under extreme conditions.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
Watch out, 2026, because Doechii is unloaded and ready.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Ever since a shooter unloaded more than 40 rounds inside a Brown engineering building, anxiety and frustration has plagued the Providence, Rhode Island, community as police appeared no closer to identifying the person.
—Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unloaded
Verb
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Both twins survived the initial fetal surgery and Sarah was later discharged, but spent the next four weeks undergoing two ultrasounds a week just to make sure everything still looked okay.—
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Having been taken to emergency rooms or psychiatric units, the children languished there, sometimes for months, beyond when doctors said they could be discharged because caseworkers couldn't find a foster home or other facility to take them.—
Verb
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On June 15, the Red Sox dumped Devers and the remainder of his contract on the San Francisco Giants.—
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Less than two minutes later, on a fast break, Jalen Douglas faked a shot, then dumped the ball down low to Sims, who scored on a layup.—
Verb
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When trips are constant and suitcases are unpacked and repacked on repeat, having a reliable system matters—something that Kathryn doesn’t take for granted.—
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Temperatures are going down, warm coats are unpacked and the nights are long and dark.—
Verb
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The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state.—
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By the 1970s, many of Lindsay’s policies were anchored more to his office and personality than to his party and were thus easily discarded upon executive turnover.—
Verb
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All individuals have since been evacuated from the scene, the BBC reported, citing the health ministry.—
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The surrounding businesses were evacuated by El Monte police as the investigation continued.—
Verb
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Moore ditched her red carpet glam for her latest campaign, putting her au naturale glow front and center in a black-and-white video shared to her Instagram account on January 13.—
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Roberts, who was also nominated for best actress in a motion picture (drama), ditched her signature auburn for a warm, coppery blonde.—
Verb
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Museums and ancient palaces in Darfur and El Geneina were destroyed or emptied.—
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The Red Wings bench emptied onto the ice to celebrate with Kane after the goal.—
Verb
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Being unburdened by pressure and performance leaves more room for fantasy.—
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The most mobile Americans are recent college graduates who are brimming with potential, searching for work and unburdened by major responsibilities.—
Cite this Entry
“Unloaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unloaded. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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