1
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in overpowering
Related Words
2
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of overwhelming
Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
ClickUp is an attractive work management solution with a ton of features, especially for collaborative document creation, but its complexity can be overwhelming, and its costs can quickly add up.
—PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Fighting wildfires is a sensual job, often overwhelming the senses.
—Jane Ciabattari
august 19, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Verb
These shallow parcels cannot absorb high-rises without overwhelming adjacent neighborhoods.
—Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
ClickUp is an attractive work management solution with a ton of features, especially for collaborative document creation, but its complexity can be overwhelming, and its costs can quickly add up.
—PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The attack involved summoning a flood of UDP packets with the goal of overwhelming the target server.
—PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Fighting wildfires is a sensual job, often overwhelming the senses.
—Jane Ciabattari
august 19, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Verb
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Kahani’s work is of a piece with that of bigger-name compatriots like Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof in its protest against the Iranian government, though his droll-to-devastating approach is very much his own.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
21 Aug. 2025
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Additionally, deadly waves of violent extremism in places like Nigeria and India are devastating whole communities and going unchecked.—
Miles P. J. Windsor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Just two days before filming began in the northwest regional province of Santiago Rodriguez, a powerful storm swept through the Dominican Republic, flooding the ground floor of the production office and bringing much of Santo Domingo to a halt.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, that did not stop Taylor Swift fans from flooding Tart's social media with stern reactions.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Etzel scored later on a wild pitch — but Tolle retired 15 straight batters after the leadoff hit to conclude his latest overpowering outing.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
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While Skenes made his MLB debut last year after only 12 overpowering minor-league starts, Waldrep was merely mortal in 46 outings in the Braves’ farm system.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Adrenaline seekers take a scenic helicopter ride up the Markarfljót canyon, which was carved out by glacier water and is up to a staggering 160 meters deep in parts.—
Mia Taylor,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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There are still a staggering number of records that have not been made public in the case.—
Julie K. Brown Miami Herald,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was reminded that his career had been shaped by overcoming doubts and slights going back to high school, when he was offered the same amount of Division I football scholarships that were offered to the average sportswriter who covers him.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a producer, Turbo is most adept at creating cinematic beats capable of engulfing you in a world of his own creation.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
24 Aug. 2025
-
From Turkey, Greece, Albania, to Portugal, France, and Spain, ferocious flames are engulfing forests, leaving destruction in their wake.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, the Cracker Barrel debacle touched so many live wires of American politics that the story was simply irresistible.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The idea sticks because the prize, limitless energy from tabletop hardware, is irresistible, and suppression narratives explain away the lack of mainstream acceptance.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Unwavering loyalty Schrandt told ABC News that any deportations to Afghanistan are an unacceptable outcome.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Cosmetics are not the only place that regulators assessed an unacceptable level of risk.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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