overwhelming

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ How to pronounce overwhelming (audio)
Synonyms of overwhelmingnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield victories like few people have ever seen before. James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Hughie, Mother’s Milk, and Frenchie are imprisoned in a Freedom Camp, and Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026 Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026 Within a few weeks of arriving in France, though, her excitement morphed into an overwhelming sense of isolation and loneliness. Autumn Barnes, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelming

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overwhelming was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelming. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

overwhelming

adjective
over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈhwel-miŋ How to pronounce overwhelming (audio)
-wel-
: great sense 4, extreme
an overwhelming response
overwhelmingly adverb

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