weigh down

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weigh down

The heavy snow began to weigh down the branches of the pine tree.

Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To exert a downward force due to heavy weight; to press down. This meaning describes a literal physical burden. 2. To cause someone to feel burdened, oppressed, or disheartened; to make someone feel heavy with worry or sadness. This is a figurative meaning describing an emotional or psychological burden.

Usage and Examples

  • Literal (Physical Burden):

    • The heavy fruit began to weigh down the branches of the tree.
    • Her backpack was weighed down with books.

  • Figurative (Emotional/Psychological Burden):

    • The constant bad news started to weigh him down.
    • She felt weighed down by her responsibilities at work.
Advanced Usage and Notes
  • The verb is often used in the passive voice ("to be weighed down") to emphasize the state of being burdened.
  • It can describe burdens from abstract concepts like guilt, debt, or expectation.
    • He was weighed down by guilt after the accident.
Variants and Related Words
  • Weigh upon: A less common phrasal verb with a very similar meaning, often used for figurative burdens.
    • The secret weighed upon her conscience.
Synonyms
  • Burden: To load or weigh down; to cause difficulty or worry.
  • Oppress: To keep someone in subservience and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority; to weigh heavily on the mind.
  • Encumber: To restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.
Antonyms
  • Lighten: To make or become less heavy; to make or become more cheerful or less serious.
  • Unburden: To relieve (someone) of a burden.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Bear down (on): To press or weigh down. (Note: This is a synonym in the literal sense, as seen in the reference context: "The snow bore down on the roof.")
weigh down

The heavy snow began to weigh down the branches of the pine tree.

Verb
  1. exert a force with a heavy weight
    • The snow bore down on the roof
  2. be oppressive or disheartening to

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