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

Cortiz said eight hospitals in Caracas have been forced to close, and the remaining hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and lack basic cleaning supplies such as bleach and disinfectant. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026

Its structure holds up to rich, velvety sauces without becoming overwhelmed or losing its texture. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026

The same study found that many feel overwhelmed by their financial obligations, highlighting the emotional challenges that often accompany collection efforts. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Her daughter, Selah Marley, then graced the stage as Lauryn Hill became overwhelmed with emotion for a moving cover of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill‘s title track. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1