overwhelmed

adjective

over·​whelmed ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welmd 

1

: overcome by force or numbers

Some jurisdictions are so overwhelmed that they are experimenting with routing school-children into specially designed courts that would keep first-time offenders from being saddled with an arrest record.

—Gary Fields and John R. Emshwiller

Only three Coast Guard rescue helicopters had managed to get into the air, and each was already overwhelmed by dozens of calls for help.

—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block

"We were overwhelmed," said John Robinson, the Rams' coach. "Clearly dominated."

—Paul Zimmerman

2

: completely overcome or overpowered by thought or feeling

When he first appeared in full regalia, I was overwhelmed.

—Jane Davison

Suddenly he felt overwhelmed by a wash of terror.

—Holly Black

He finds that the institutions that might compensate for what overwhelmed parents are unable to do are themselves undermined by stingy public policies.

—Lisbeth B. Schorr

Examples of overwhelmed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But this episode adds layer after layer of complication onto the now-familiar Make Some Noise mechanics, until even the players frequently seem overwhelmed — especially their unexpected guest star. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026

The transfer of physical belongings can cause parents and children to feel overwhelmed and stressed. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2026

For hyper-infested areas, that tiny operational window could easily prove overwhelmed. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026

At the same time, highly partisan messaging can discourage participation among students who feel overwhelmed by political conflict. — Chyann Sapp, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1