1
as in to invade
to enter for conquest or plunder
waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overrun
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
In it, a Native Hawaiian family struggles to reclaim the ancestral lands that colonization, tourism, and rampant development threaten to overrun.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Amorim’s side were completely overrun, and lucky to only lose 2-0.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Verb
Since last year, when the RSF overran parts of Darfur and Kordofan, the militia has commandeered the gum trade, integrating it into its smuggling empire and further starving government coffers.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
In it, a Native Hawaiian family struggles to reclaim the ancestral lands that colonization, tourism, and rampant development threaten to overrun.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Adjective
In towns such as Maienfeld, the influx of mass tourism gives the impression that even remote valleys have become overrun.
—Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Amorim’s side were completely overrun, and lucky to only lose 2-0.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrun
Verb
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As the crew invades his space and a volatile director (Pyper-Ferguson) pushes him to his limits the line between Levi and his character dissolves.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Ukraine officially applied for EU accession less than a week after Russia invaded in February 2022.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Those bags must not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches (30 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm).—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
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Authorities said a trooper was patrolling northbound when a Honda Civic passed the patrol vehicle at speeds exceeding 90 mph.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The 31-year-old Andujar has been plagued by various injuries throughout an MLB career that began in 2018.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
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Featuring guest star Liza Minnelli as a film noir-style actress whose show is being plagued by a series of murders and Kermit as a Bogart-like ’40s gumshoe, this episode won a special Raven Award from The Mystery Writers of America.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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This trail through Dark Canyon can be overgrown, so please plan accordingly, including downloading a map and bringing a paper map with you.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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This involved removing another overgrown hedge and installing a fence to protect the Roots’ dogs from coyotes.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Growing up in the east London suburbs, Scott would sing in her local church choir in the afternoons, then raid her dad’s Windows Media Player playlists to discover Janet Jackson and Kate Bush in the evenings.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
13 June 2026
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Rather than raiding my bar cart, this recipe gets a boost by way of a couple items normally found on the breakfast menu.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Verb
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None of the Senate candidates surpassed the 50% threshold required to win, and Ossoff and Warnock headed to a January 2021 runoff against their Republican opponents.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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JioHotstar surpassed $1 billion in revenue last year and is on track to surpass YouTube in total revenue by year’s end.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Producer Greer Simpkin noted that the swarms of flies visible throughout required no visual effects – the location was so badly infested that cast and crew regularly swallowed them during takes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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The screwworm is actually a fly whose larvae infest the wounds of warm-blooded animals.—
Ilena Peng,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Some will envision the sun glistening off downtown’s skyline or illuminating the city’s verdant tree canopy.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
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Canada’s Spruce Meadows hosts a leg of the Rolex Grand Slam in its verdant international arena.—
Tilly Berendt,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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