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
To be a consumer of popular culture and entertainment is to be exhausted and overwhelmed. — Will Leitch, Washington Post, 9 July 2026 With his father out of town at work, and his mother overwhelmed with money problems and keeping María’s chronic asthma under control, Miguel takes matters into his own hands. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
Verb
After surviving a dramatic 3–2 extra-time victory over Senegal in the Round of 32, the Belgians overwhelmed the USMNT, which had advanced in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026 The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 July 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
  • Away from the bewildered rancher calling out in surprise, away from the Appaloosa.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Massachusetts State Police ushered thousands of bewildered attendees into the tunnel.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • In a separate GoFundMe page, Castillo’s family said they were devastated by his death.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • The new flight comes as American Airlines twice daily direct flights between MIA and Caracas remain suspended following multiple earthquakes on June 24 that devastated Venezuela’s capital.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of devastated
Verb
  • On Thursday morning, a massive sinkhole opened up on a West Hollywood sidewalk near Sunset Boulevard after the streets became flooded.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
  • After the comments section was flooded with messages from Instagram users criticizing the timing of the post, Kim added an additional comment with an explanation.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of flooded
Adjective
  • Spice brand McCormick & Company may be one company to employ a more staggered pricing strategy.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 July 2026
  • Against a team of higher quality, Portugal were less able to prevent Colombia from building through the pitch, with a staggered front three in their defensive shape as Vitinha and Ruben Neves went man-for-man in the middle.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • The ship overcame the engine failure and continued flying toward a pinpoint water landing in the Indian Ocean, but SpaceX had to skip an attempt to reignite a Raptor engine in space.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The Kings nearly overcame a 16-point deficit, but the Celtics held on for an 82-76 victory at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of overcame
Verb
  • Flames from raging wildfires engulfed a train that was evacuating residents in Ontario, Canada.
    — Gina Park, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In fact, the candle engulfed nearly three weeks of the prior price action.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of engulfed
Adjective
  • Our team reports that as people emerge from the life-or-death struggle for survival, which eclipsed all thought and numbed sensations, their trauma is transforming into a stunned grief.
    — James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026
  • And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Of course, Branch crushed it, nearly recording her vocals in one take.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
  • Jakarta, Indonesia — A pickup truck carrying wedding guests was crushed between two trucks on a busy highway on Indonesia's main island of Java, killing 13 people and injuring five others, police said Monday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overwhelmed for Spanish Speakers

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