Synonyms of overwhelmed

overwhelmed 1 of 2

adjective

as in bewildered

Related Words

• bewildered
• staggered
• stunned
• bemused
• stupefied
• surprised
• puzzled
• awed
• startled
• wondering
• astounded
• awestruck
• amazed
• dumbfounded
• flabbergasted
• astonished
• marveling
• open-mouthed

Dissimilar Words

• unimpressed
• indifferent
• disinterested
• uninterested
• unconcerned
• bored
• dispassionate
• impassive
• unemotional
• jaded
• incurious
• emotionless

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

• devastated
• overcame
• crushed
• oppressed
• swamped
• disturbed
• overpowered
• drowned
• whelmed
• upset
• floored
• rocked
• ground (down)
• prostrated
• defeated
• shattered
• overmastered
• deluged
• distressed
• snowed under
• sank
• staggered
• threw
• demoralized
• refuted
• unnerved
• broke
• confuted
• unmanned

2

as in flooded

to cover with a flood

that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flooded
• engulfed
• drowned
• inundated
• swamped
• submerged
• deluged
• overflowed
• flushed
• overcame
• gulfed
• submersed
• smothered
• flowed
• avalanched
• wet
• overran
• gushed
• poured
• drenched
• soaked
• spurted
• streamed
• sluiced
• doused
• spouted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drained
• dried
• parched
• dehydrated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overwhelmed

Adjective

But this episode adds layer after layer of complication onto the now-familiar Make Some Noise mechanics, until even the players frequently seem overwhelmed — especially their unexpected guest star. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026

The University of California system warned DHS that the department would be overwhelmed with extension applications, noting that one of its campuses estimated more than 4,500 students would need to apply for extensions each year. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 28 July 2026

Verb

My mom is in her late 80s and overwhelmed by trying to care for herself. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

At least two people have died as catastrophic flooding has stricken Texas Hill Country, a little over a year after rains overwhelmed the same region's Guadalupe River, causing flooding that killed over 130 people. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 July 2026