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
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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
as in bewildered
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelmed
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
But that imperative will be counterbalanced, and perhaps even overwhelmed, by the temptation to gravitate toward China.
—Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Campbell’s song archives are overflowing, which sometimes overwhelmed even Petty.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Verb
Enemies have pretty obvious weak points and can be parried into a stunned state that presents an opening, and larger enemies require quick thinking to find the right position without being overwhelmed by the mob.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
But that imperative will be counterbalanced, and perhaps even overwhelmed, by the temptation to gravitate toward China.
—Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Adjective
Don’t get overwhelmed by the excitement.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Campbell’s song archives are overflowing, which sometimes overwhelmed even Petty.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
Verb
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While Walking to School Bus Stop Jordan’s dad, who wasn’t in the vehicle, is devastated.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Lewis witnessed school closures that critics said devastated the South and West sides.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Analytics and technology have flooded the sport.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Their main food source vanished after decades of pollution flooded the Lagoon — and the species’ most important home on the East Coast turned into a graveyard.—
Bethany Barnes,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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A couple was left bewildered after discovering an unfamiliar cat helping itself to their own pet's food in a now-viral TikTok video that has left viewers on the platform in hysterics.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Officials in other places that had voted overwhelmingly for President Trump but were far from the front lines of the immigration debate were simply bewildered.—
Campbell Robertson,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The runoff election marks yet another chapter in the country's struggle against a surge of violent crime that has engulfed cities in a country that was once a popular tourist destination and was left badly scarred by the pandemic.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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When first responders arrived on the scene, both the plane and a vehicle were already fully engulfed in flames, which have since been extinguished, TMZ reported.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The energy in this race came from ordinary voters, many of whom feel that their voices have been drowned out by corporate donations, union influence, and political machines.—
Amy Reichert,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
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The noise has drowned out Africa’s challenges, which center on job creation and climate change.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Everybody was very sympathetic that day and I was slightly bemused by it.—
Andrew Goldman,
Vulture,
16 June 2025
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As the Broadway glitterati walked by Studio 54 over these last few nights, Smart was inside, slipping disinfectant into a toilet bowl for her bemused fans.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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If dinner table conversations revolve around how frustrating customers are or how lazy the staff is, don’t be surprised when your kids want nothing to do with it.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Biscayne National Park Visitors are often surprised to learn there’s a national park within eyeshot of downtown Miami’s skyscrapers.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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