overwhelming

over·whelm·ing | \ ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ

How to pronounce overwhelming (audio)

\

Definition of overwhelming

: tending or serving to overwhelm overwhelming force overwhelming evidence also : extreme, great overwhelming indifference an overwhelming majority

Examples of overwhelming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The response has been overwhelming, with a refreshingly wide range of recollection. — Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "The Sporting Green’s readers tell us their favorite sports memories," 23 May 2020 The overwhelming majority of its loans, though, were repaid. — The Economist, "Never let a crisis go to waste The pressure to make the post-covid rebound green," 23 May 2020 On the other, the legal challenges of such technology can be overwhelming. — Dallas News, "In a test case, Collin County jury meets on Zoom for the first time, but some lawyers say it’s too risky for real trial," 22 May 2020 While recovering from surgery, the idea of tackling those spaces was overwhelming. — Georgann Yara, azcentral, "Happy Home Organizers offers to help create order, calm amid COVID-19," 21 May 2020 Yet support for public health restrictions imposed to control the virus’s spread is no longer overwhelming. — BostonGlobe.com, "CDC to study coronavirus antibodies in 25 metro areas," 20 May 2020 That was fine, but the raw emotion on display after it was finished was overwhelming. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, "Survivor: Winners at War finale recap: Dominance is rewarded," 14 May 2020 Aesthetically your baskets shouldn’t be overwhelming. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "7 ways to improve your home's curb appeal, for all those now walking by," 14 May 2020 There’s no way to sugar-coat it: Living through a global pandemic is overwhelming. — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, "16 Uplifting Quotes to Help You Stay Positive This Week," 13 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overwhelming.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about overwhelming

Dictionary Entries near overwhelming

overwhelmingness

Statistics for overwhelming

Last Updated

29 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelming. Accessed 3 Jun. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for overwhelming

overwhelming

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of overwhelming

: very great in number, effect, or force

—used to describe something that is so confusing, difficult, etc., that you feel unable to do it

See the full definition for overwhelming in the English Language Learners Dictionary

overwhelming

over·whelm·ing | \ ˌō-vər-ˈhwel-miŋ

, -ˈwel- \

Kids Definition of overwhelming

1 : very great or strong an overwhelming majority

2 : very difficult or confusing an overwhelming task

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of exiguous?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.