as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the news so whelmed them that they were stunned into silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whelm
You’ll definitely be whelmed by the legit chemistry between Kat and Patrick, rebel teens who steal the show with their sweetness and dazzling wits.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 May 2023
Its reputation is built on the backs of 3-series gone by, as this is the first ever 3 to merely whelm us.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 26 July 2017
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 May 2023
Its reputation is built on the backs of 3-series gone by, as this is the first ever 3 to merely whelm us.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 26 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whelm
Verb
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Still, on a partly sunny Saturday under a flood watch, dozens of volunteers overwhelmed a site near the Round Mountain Baptist Church outside of Leander, forcing traffic to a standstill as emergency personnel actively searched for missing people.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 July 2025
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Inside, a black and grey cat thrashes around, overwhelmed.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
12 July 2025
Verb
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There can be ways to overcome the objections of the people who are concerned that new technology will make their jobs obsolete.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
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She’s devastated by how badly water and air pollution have affected businesses, tourism and overall quality of life.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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John Tufts The Grand Canyon North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, has been devastated by the Dragon Bravo wildfire.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelm. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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