overwhelming

1 of 2

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ 

: tending or serving to overwhelm

overwhelming force

overwhelming evidence

also : extreme, great

overwhelming indifference

an overwhelming majority

overwhelming

2 of 2

present participle of overwhelm

Examples of overwhelming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Mandating malnutrition reporting could increase the need for dietitians in already understaffed hospitals, or create overwhelming caseloads that could endanger patients and heighten the risk of RD burnout. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

The overwhelming stench of death is crushing hopes that more survivors will be found in Bidur, a town in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, devastated by last week’s catastrophic floods. — Surendra Phuyal, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Just weeks after the attacks, Congress passed the landmark USA Patriot Act by an overwhelming and bipartisan vote, expanding the government's investigative and surveillance powers. — Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

The overwhelming majority of House Democrats opposed the measure. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overwhelming

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈhwel-miŋ 

-wel-

: great sense 4, extreme

an overwhelming response

overwhelmingly adverb