weighed down by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weighed down by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of being burdened or overwhelmed by something, whether it be emotions, responsibilities, or physical objects. Example: "She felt weighed down by the expectations of her job and the pressures of her personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They've been discouraged and weighed down by President Obama's big government and heavy-handed regulations.

The New York Times

"Weighed down by bricks".

The New Yorker

It's too weighed down by inaccurate stereotypes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such flags are weighed down by BBs.

The Guardian - Sport

Fantastic Four arrives weighed down by expectation.

The Guardian - Film

His lids look weighed down by tiredness.

The Guardian - Music

They will always be weighed down by the past.

The New York Times

Disappointing things first: the introduction is weighed down by theory.

The New Yorker

But the islanders themselves are weighed down by problems – literally.

Independent

Equity markets are weighed down by worries about economic growth.

The Economist

The auction process shouldn't be weighed down by such conditions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, consider using stronger verbs or imagery to convey the feeling of being burdened. For instance, instead of simply stating someone is "weighed down by" grief, describe how the grief feels like a physical weight.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is overly passive. For example, instead of "The project was weighed down by bureaucracy", try "Bureaucracy weighed down the project". This active construction makes the sentence more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weighed down by" functions as a verb phrase complemented by a preposition, acting as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes something experiencing difficulty or oppression due to an imposed burden.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weighed down by" is a versatile phrase used to describe the state of being burdened or oppressed, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in news and media contexts. It's important to use specific language to identify the cause of the burden, avoid overusing passive voice, and be mindful of potential alternatives such as "burdened by" or "hampered by" to enhance clarity and impact. With 61 examples, Ludwig confirms that this expression is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdened by

Direct synonym; indicates the imposition of a heavy load or responsibility.

hampered by

Suggests that progress or action is impeded.

encumbered by

Similar to burdened, but often implies legal or procedural obstacles.

hindered by

Indicates that something is slowing down or preventing progress.

oppressed by

Implies a sense of being controlled or dominated by something, often with negative consequences.

overwhelmed by

Focuses on the feeling of being unable to cope with a large amount of something.

stifled by

Suggests that growth or expression is being suppressed.

held back by

Indicates that progress is being restrained or prevented.

constrained by

Implies a limitation or restriction on freedom of action.

saddled with

Implies being stuck with an unwanted responsibility or problem.

FAQs

What does "weighed down by" mean?

The phrase "weighed down by" means to be burdened, oppressed, or made heavy by something, whether it's a physical load or an emotional or metaphorical burden.

How can I use "weighed down by" in a sentence?

You can use "weighed down by" to describe something that is causing difficulty or oppression. For example: "She felt "burdened by" the responsibilities of her job" or "The economy is "hindered by" high household debt".

What are some alternatives to "weighed down by"?

Some alternatives to "weighed down by" include "burdened by", "hampered by", "encumbered by", or "oppressed by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "weighed down by" or "burdened by"?

Both "weighed down by" and "burdened by" are appropriate, but "weighed down by" often implies a more significant or oppressive burden, suggesting a greater sense of heaviness or difficulty.