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

Torrents overwhelmed infrastructure, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes, flooding about 170 houses and blocking roads, while a landslide hit Togane and muddy water inundated cars and railway tracks. — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Separating students from those pressures for several hours could encourage face-to-face conversation and give overwhelmed teenagers a genuine break. — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

After sharing her story online, Herzog says she was overwhelmed by messages from women who recognized themselves in her experience. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Standing amid the ruins of the villa and grotto, you might be overwhelmed by the ancient mythology that electrifies the air here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026