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
The offensive line, a strong suit prior to Saturday, was totally overwhelmed. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The 38-year-old Australian overwhelmed Evloev with punches late in the round, sending the challenger to the canvas before the referee intervened with 6 seconds remaining. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
Their offensive line, which was supposed to be a strength, was confused and overwhelmed by a Wisconsin defense that allowed 41 points to Notre Dame. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The Wildcats overwhelmed Iowa State from the start, going up 15-0 on Mizell's 71-yard TD catch and Quincy Craig's 6-yard touchdown run the next drive. — ABC News, 24 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
  • Some were devastated and expressed hope a new company could rescue the venture so life at sea can continue.
    — Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But Trump’s termination of electric-vehicle tax credits, for both consumers and manufacturers, has devastated the plant.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 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
  • Under Anthropic's staggered lock-up schedule, workers and insiders will be able to sell an unspecified number of Class A shares as time passes after the debut.
    — Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The news comes as part of Xbox’s staggered rollout of its cloud gaming offering to users without a Game Pass.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • Three teams overcame double-digit deficits to win in Week 7, with one of the teams that blew the lead not a surprise.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • His energy off the bench helped shift the team’s 132-123 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday when the Lakers overcame a lifeless first quarter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcame
Verb
  • The massive fire that broke out last November engulfed seven buildings in an apartment complex in a northern suburban district, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The building was fully engulfed when emergency crews arrived.
    — CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 27 Oct. 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
  • Honestly, getting dragged out on a jet ski in marine clothing and thrown into waves and getting crushed by waves was extremely fun.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Roma's confidence will be low after being crushed 6-0 by Barca and held goalless by Belgian side OH Leuven.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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