overwhelmed

1 of 2

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

overwhelmed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of overwhelm

Examples of overwhelmed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Rather than asking whether a system is inclusive, ask why a team member feels overwhelmed, why a process creates friction, or why certain voices are consistently absent from key strategic decisions. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Tottenham, one of the biggest spenders in Europe this summer with $300 million — and counting — of new players in its squad, was overwhelmed in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress that leaves people feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and unable to keep up with ongoing demands. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

All of us are completely and totally overwhelmed by the familiar. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1