OVER WHELMED Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

overwhelmed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmed

as in bewildered

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Dissimilar Words

overwhelmed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of overwhelm

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

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

Those wanting to dip their toe for the first time in either genre won’t be overwhelmed. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Vilanch’s skepticism finally overwhelmed his willingness to believe. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed

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

As men, women and children flooded across the border between Morocco and Spain, into the autonomous city of Ceuta at the end of July, European populists and anti-immigrant politicians capitalized on the shocking images of human desperation.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
And now, since Panettiere's death, fans have again flooded Neutrogena's social media.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 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

Wahab overcame late intervention from the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, which spent millions of dollars on ads to try to defeat her and boost opponent Melissa Hernandez.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Through a highly coordinated grassroots campaign, Nixon overcame a $15-million fundraising deficit against Vindman in a state where affordability, high property insurance costs and public infrastructure strain were top concerns for many voters.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 19 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

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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“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overwhelmed

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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