1
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpower
Yes, this still tastes like a very old bourbon, but the tannic oak flavors are soft and not overpowering.
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
To properly balance the fragrance, opt for a smaller diffuser in smaller rooms to avoid overpowering the space.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
The urge to run is overpowering.
—Joe Baur, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
Channeling some wild style with the leopard print, Stone, who often collaborates with stylist Petra Flannery, ensured the piece wasn’t overpowering, opting for a mini hemline and understated material that only served to complement and augment her refined attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
To properly balance the fragrance, opt for a smaller diffuser in smaller rooms to avoid overpowering the space.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
The urge to run is overpowering.
—Joe Baur, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
Channeling some wild style with the leopard print, Stone, who often collaborates with stylist Petra Flannery, ensured the piece wasn’t overpowering, opting for a mini hemline and understated material that only served to complement and augment her refined attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
Verb
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Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Barack Obama also availed himself of caution, reluctance and NATO partners to use air power to subdue chaos on the ground in Libya.—
John Brummett,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Duncyte, the master’s student from Lithuania, said she was immediately overwhelmed by Colorado’s beauty and wildlife.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Families will drop their plans, get sicker and even die without essential treatment, and hospitals will be overwhelmed with untreated people coming to the emergency room.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trade discussions dominated those meetings, but there were signs of growing tensions over Beijing’s surging conventional and nuclear arsenal.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Bills' run-heavy offense -- which has piled up a league-high 1,292 yards in just eight games -- should dominate this one and allow Buffalo to not only win, but cover the substantial spread.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Among those highlighted will be Amanda, a refugee and the first Miss Trans Global Uganda; Sarah, who overcame sight loss to support LGBTQ+ people with disabilities while running marathons; and Leo, a speaker and life coach with dyskinetic cerebral palsy.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
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Fortunately, modern nandina cultivars like 'Lemon-Lime' from the Southern Living Plant Collection have been bred to overcome these problems.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Having conquered the pop world with ease, Rosalía is now embracing difficulty.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Toyota may be struggling against Tesla in the global EV sweepstakes, but Hello Kitty is conquering the world.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Last year’s devastating drought in the Amazon Basin was made 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a report from World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists that analyze extreme weather events.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Earlier this year, California’s devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, a diverse, creative community just north of Pasadena.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But, yeah, part of [building Carol’s cul-de-sac] was not wanting to subject anyone else to that, [especially] any nice homeowner who would rent you their house.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
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But no actor, not even the forthright and sensitive Farrell, can survive the number of tight, sweaty closeups that cinematographer James Friend subjects him to.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pelosi retires and Dems begin generational civil war Nancy Pelosi, 85, announced her retirement yesterday as a new generation of much younger Democrats bridles against the elderly cadre under former President Biden, 82, who led them to defeat in the last presidential election.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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He and Democrat Rebecca Cooke may be headed for a rematch in 2026, after Van Orden defeated Cooke in 2024.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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