weigh down
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.")
Verb
-
exert a force with a heavy weight
-
The snow bore down on the roof
-
-
be oppressive or disheartening to
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