overrun

¹over·run

verb \-ˈrən\

over·ran\-ˈran\over·runover·run·ning

Definition of OVERRUN

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to defeat decisively and occupy the positions of (2) : to invade and occupy or ravage b : to spread or swarm over : infest

2

a : to run or go beyond or past <the plane overran the runway> b : exceed <overrun a budget> c : to readjust (set type) by shifting letters or words from one line into another

3

: to flow over <the river overran its banks>

Examples of OVERRUN

1. The tank divisions overran the countryside.
2. The city was being overrun by enemy troops.
3. The plane overran the runway.
4. His speech overran the time allowed.

First Known Use of OVERRUN

before 12th century

Related to OVERRUN

Synonyms: foray (into), invade, raid

Related Words: despoil, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, ransack, ravage, sack, strip; conquer, crush, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subdue, subject, subjugate, vanquish; assail, assault, attack, beset, charge, rush, storm, strike; battle, clash (with), combat, fight, war (with); encroach, harass, infringe, trespass; beleaguer, besiege, blockade, invest; garrison, occupy

Near Antonyms: defend, guard, protect, safeguard, shield, ward; defy, oppose, repel, resist, withstand; capitulate (to), cede (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with OVERRUN

Acheron, Algonquin, allemande, all-or-none, Balzacian, give the gun, hit-and-run, jump the gun, machine-gun, machine gun, megaton, midnight sun, one-on-one, one-to-one, on the run, pellet gun, radar gun, ride shotgun, riot gun, run-and-gun, Sally Lunn, scattergun, smoking gun, tommy gun, twenty-one, underdone, underrun, water gun