overpower

over·pow·er

transitive verb \ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r\

Definition of OVERPOWER

1

: to overcome by superior force : subdue

2

: to affect with overwhelming intensity <the stench overpowered us>

3

: to provide with more power than is needed or desirable <a dangerously overpowered car>

— over·pow·er·ing·ly \-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-iŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of OVERPOWER

1. She was able to overpower her attacker.
2. The police overpowered the man and handcuffed him.
3. The troops were overpowered by the stronger enemy forces.
4. His personality overpowers everyone else's.
5. The delicate taste of the wine was overpowered by the spiciness of the food.

First Known Use of OVERPOWER

1593

Related to OVERPOWER

Synonyms

dominate, conquer, pacify, subdue, subject, subjugate, subordinate, vanquish

Related Words

annihilate, beat, clobber, crush, defeat, drub, lick, mow (down), overcome, prevail (over), reduce, rout, skunk, smash, thrash, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip; enslave; break, clamp down (on), crack down (on), put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, smother, snuff (out), squash, squelch, suppress

Near Antonyms

discharge, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Rhymes with OVERPOWER

coffee hour, cooling tower, credit hour, flower power, golden shower, happy hour, ivory tower, motive power, police power, quarter hour, staying power, trumpet flower, virgin's bower, water tower, zero hour