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
A student seeking to process instructions may become overwhelmed in a busy environment or have difficulty communicating under pressure, and may need a different approach. — Jermaine F. Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026 Inside the Capitol, the election certification process began, and outside, the overwhelmed police called for backup, saying a riot had formed. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
The president left office above water on the economy, with 48% approving and 41% disapproving — high numbers for a president whose last year was overwhelmed by the Covid pandemic. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Economic recovery, the official argued, must accompany political reform to prevent a future democratic government from being overwhelmed by debt, failing infrastructure, shortages, inflation and insecurity. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 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
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • The elder Begay, speaking in Navajo, said she is emotionally devastated.
    — Adam Burke, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • By comparison, the prewar sanctions that devastated Iran’s economy, hobbled its military, and discouraged it from seeking nuclear weapons were a bargain.
    — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of devastated
Verb
  • The swells flooded parts of the Pacific Coast Highway, forcing the closure of multiple stretches of the road in Huntington Beach.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The town was flooded when the Nova Kakhovka Dam collapsed in 2023.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of flooded
Adjective
  • Compact Dimensions Meet Dirt-Bike Hardware The EM5 Ultra uses a 17-inch front wheel and a 14-inch rear wheel, giving it the staggered configuration commonly found on compact dirt motorcycles.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • This week, the Waterford School District began a staggered schedule of bus cancellations due to a staffing shortage.
    — Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • Its weight got heavier and that weight overcame the plane’s capabilities.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Cutter Gauthier had his second career hat trick, scoring the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and the Ducks overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Ottawa Senators 6-3 on Sunday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of overcame
Verb
  • Paxton attendees were shocked at the blue tsunami that engulfed the country.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site and little remained of the plane.
    — DAVID FISCHER, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of engulfed
Adjective
  • The scene is one of many standout moments that left audiences and Fielder himself both stunned and uncomfortable.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • First came the stunned churchgoers surrounding the lifeless body lying under a pew.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Add 1 cup raw sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and/or coarsely crushed raw nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, and/or hazelnuts) and stir to coat.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And again, some millipedes can release defensive secretions that can irritate skin or stain surfaces if handled or crushed.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 2 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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