overwhelmed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmednext
as in bewildered

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overwhelmed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of overwhelm
1
as in devastated
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flooded
to cover with a flood that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of overwhelmed
Adjective
All of us are completely and totally overwhelmed by the familiar. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 During trauma, the amygdala becomes highly active, processing emotions such as fear, and the hippocampus becomes overwhelmed by stress, leading to problems with memory storage. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Abrams was able to return to the song without being overwhelmed by the feelings that came with writing it. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 While the defense overwhelmed the Dolphins’ offense, with interceptions by Deonte Banks in 1-on-1 drills and Paulson Adebo in 11-on-11, Jaxson Dart snapped out of his slump. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
  1. bewildered
  2. devastated
  3. flooded
  4. staggered
  5. overcame
  6. engulfed
  7. stunned
  8. crushed
Adjective
  • That bewildered shake of the head after Meyer's pitch in that video is not a rare occurrence for Raleigh this year.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • On Douban, a popular Chinese movie-review platform, viewers piled on with mocking and bewildered comments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • The flash flood which has devastated settlements in northern Nepal was caused by an earthquake triggering a large landslide which blocked the Bhote Koshi river, according to Nepal’s foreign minister Shishir Khanal.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In season one, Alice (Nicola Walker) is devastated when her best friend Steve (Jemaine Clement) starts dating her 26-year-old daughter Izzy.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastated
Verb
  • Meta is rolling out an obvious fix to make its AI glasses less creepy amid backlash over the glasses’ non-consensual recordings that have flooded the Internet.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But New Yorkers flooded social media after news broke, and eventually a petition was made in an effort to save the theater.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of flooded
Adjective
  • Some buildings will close on a staggered two-year schedule as part of the Future Ready Facilities Plan.
    — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • However, the supplier said Apple is battling supply, testing and pricing issues which could mean a staggered rollout in countries outside of the US, such as in Australia, with larger markets like China next in line after the US.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • Joan Rubinger overcame a catastrophic biking accident that left her paralyzed to become an influential pain-relief specialist helping top-tier athletes get back on the field after acute and chronic injuries.
    — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Judith Kreeger overcame gender barriers, work challenges and a surprise career.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of overcame
Verb
  • Gunshots followed by an inferno Police responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from out back, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames.
    — Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Police responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from out back, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of engulfed
Adjective
  • Vehicles were buried, and some stunned survivors were caked in mud.
    — Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Debris hung from tree branches and wires, vehicles were buried and some stunned survivors were caked in mud.
    — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Tracee Ellis Ross favors Udi’s gluten-free bread topped with smashed avocado, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and salt as an afternoon snack, according to a People food diary.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Cubs have crushed starting pitchers the third time through the order this season.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of crushed

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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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