OVER WHELMED Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

overwhelmed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmed

as in bewildered

Related Words

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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

Newport Institute frames it as a low barrier mental health entry point, not a substitute for therapy but an easy first step for anyone feeling overwhelmed by constant urgency. — Allison Palmer july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 Instead, spreading out tasks and to-dos will make everyone feel less overwhelmed. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 July 2026

Verb

The surprise left her mother, Chanel Santillan, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. — Christina Cardona, USA Today, 30 June 2026 After that first game, they were overwhelmed by the quality of both Egypt and Belgium, losing comprehensively to both. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed

Adjective

Away from the bewildered rancher calling out in surprise, away from the Appaloosa.

— Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Massachusetts State Police ushered thousands of bewildered attendees into the tunnel.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of bewildered

Verb

Money is tight, especially since a plague has devastated the coffee harvest and destroyed the livelihoods of Miguel’s parents, Pino (Luis Alberti) and Teresa (Fátima Molina).

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
The luxury shopping center in Pacific Palisades will reopen next month after more than $100 million in renovations forced by the January 2025 wildfire that devastated the Los Angeles neighborhood.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of devastated

Verb

Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Social media was flooded with images and footage of guests making the pilgrimage to MSG.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of flooded

Adjective

During the past decade, underwriters have pushed buzzy tech companies into adopting more staggered or shortened release dates for insiders to sell their shares, some even contingent on earnings or stock-price increases to dampen the flow.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Against a team of higher quality, Portugal were less able to prevent Colombia from building through the pitch, with a staggered front three in their defensive shape as Vitinha and Ruben Neves went man-for-man in the middle.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of staggered

Verb

Platner's withdrawal caps days of turmoil that had engulfed his campaign and intensifies pressure on Democratic leaders to quickly coalesce around an alternative candidate.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026
After the crash, the motorcycle caught fire and was engulfed in flames, police said.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of engulfed

Adjective

And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Fans jumped up and down after Folarin Balogun punched in what seemed to be the game’s first goal near the 31-minute mark, then expressed stunned disbelief when the striker was deemed offsides.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of stunned

Verb

The physical danger from robot coworkers has been made clear since January 25, 1979, when 25-year-old Robert Nicholas Williams was crushed and killed by a 1-ton robotic vehicle’s arm inside a Ford Motor Company factory in Flat Rock, Michigan.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
That was another reason for the high hopes that crushed this team instead of lifting it.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of crushed

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Style

“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overwhelmed

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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