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

Due to an overwhelming response on Day 1 that prevented many fans from casting ballots in the first round, Day 1 voting will continue to September 23. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026

Historic documents and artifacts help people remember their history, but keeping track of everything can be overwhelming, especially when the items come from an entire community. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Storms are overwhelming infrastructure built for a different climate. — Stéphane Germain, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

The questions of who and why are a mystery for the season to solve, but old adversaries like Frank Harkness and Peter Judd have emerged from the sludge around now, too, and there’s an overwhelming sense now of chickens coming home to roost. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 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