overwhelming

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

Examples of overwhelming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Celtics were favored to win the series even after losing Game 2, but are once again overwhelming favorites after the Game 3 win. —Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Pastor Keith Brown with Little Memorial Baptist Church says the devastation is overwhelming. —Nakell Williams, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Though the premise sounds far-fetched, Cammell creates a sense of overwhelming dread that never lets up as the threat of an unstoppable AI grows more and more personal, migrating from theory, to our homes, to our bodies. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Indeed, researchers have studied job insecurity for decades and reached the overwhelming consensus that the sentiment is a net negative for organizations. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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