What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overburdened
Example
The teacher felt overburdened with grading papers and preparing lessons. [overburdened: adjective]
Example
The porter was overburdened with luggage and struggled to carry it all. [overburdened: verb]
overwhelmed
Example
She was overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to do. [overwhelmed: adjective]
Example
He was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw his newborn baby for the first time. [overwhelmed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelmed is more commonly used than overburdened in everyday language. Overwhelmed is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while overburdened is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overburdened and overwhelmed?
Both overburdened and overwhelmed are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional settings.