as in bewildered
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Griffing notes that overhelping often happens when parents are tired or overwhelmed.
—Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2021, extreme cold during a deadly winter storm in Texas overwhelmed the state’s power grids as residents struggled to stay warm, resulting in rolling blackouts that cut electricity to millions of households.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Adjective
Juarez was overwhelmed and a bit puzzled by some of the responses.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Griffing notes that overhelping often happens when parents are tired or overwhelmed.
—Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some storylines are meant to be poignant but are overwhelmed by the weirdness or feel exploitative, or the characters aren’t dimensional enough to move you.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2021, extreme cold during a deadly winter storm in Texas overwhelmed the state’s power grids as residents struggled to stay warm, resulting in rolling blackouts that cut electricity to millions of households.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
California lawmakers proposed $90 million in new funding for Planned Parenthood and reproductive health providers devastated by federal defunding.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Stan, devastated by their betrayal, still can't quite wrap his head around it.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The southern Portuguese city of Alcacer do Sal, about 60 miles from Lisbon, was battling rising waters from the river Sado, with downtown areas flooded and water levels measuring roughly 7 feet high in some places.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The violence broke out after hundreds of middle and high school students flooded the downtown to protest.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Following the lockdown, the school had a staggered dismissal with police from surrounding areas onsite, the message said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Mitigation efforts include strategic and staggered price increases, as well as partial cost-sharing with factory partners, the analyst noted.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The sonic boom barrier With the new electromagnetic rail system, engineers overcame a persistent barrier to reliable supersonic performance.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fire officials said that crews encountered a carport and garage that were engulfed in flames.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The pungent fumes from the foam engulfed the air as activists waded through the toxic water.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The iguanas featured in the makeshift blanket are cold-stunned lizards.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Whenever this happens, iguanas, which are accustomed to hot weather, become cold-stunned.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Add 1 large shallot, thinly sliced into rings, and 8 garlic cloves, crushed, and cook, stirring often, until softened and light golden around the edges, 3–4 minutes.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Some sat remarkably untouched, but most were damaged beyond repair — crushed by falling beams, burned to a shell, and covered in toxic dust.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
