1
as in overpowering
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelming
Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Yes, fraud may not be overwhelming, as the DTA argues, but try being that hungry mom in the grocery aisle.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
While the larger Mallorca sees nearly 2 million visitors every August, and Menorca just around 350,000 visitors, Molina estimates Mallorca could see a million tourists that week, potentially overwhelming the Sierra de Tramuntana's fragile mountain roads.
—Ryan Craggs, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
She is left to wrestle with her overwhelming feelings of loneliness and passion—the most beautiful feelings a person can have, and the most painful ones.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Yes, fraud may not be overwhelming, as the DTA argues, but try being that hungry mom in the grocery aisle.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Veteran safety Harrison Smith was among Jones’ most ardent supporters, praising him for his clear communication and his ability to teach players without overwhelming them.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
While the larger Mallorca sees nearly 2 million visitors every August, and Menorca just around 350,000 visitors, Molina estimates Mallorca could see a million tourists that week, potentially overwhelming the Sierra de Tramuntana's fragile mountain roads.
—Ryan Craggs, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
The layers have the texture of a pound cake and aren't too sweet or overpowering.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Aroldis Chapman has always been regarded as one of the most overpowering pitchers to ever set foot on a baseball diamond, but command hasn’t always been his calling card.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While the current arms race cannot be measured in warheads, the scale of it is captured in the staggering amounts of capital being deployed.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Unbeknownst to friends and colleagues, Goldstein also became an ultra-high-stakes poker player who grossed tens of millions of dollars in winnings but racked up a staggering gambling debt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The study also noted that many of these companies guaranteed some news outlets would cover the press releases, and were essentially flooding the space with garbage crypto information dressed up to look like reliable news.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
However, two devastating challenges not readily realized are flooding and future water scarcity affecting our farms and ranches.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Its vibrant orange, orchid-like flowers bloom from summer through fall and are irresistible to hummingbirds.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
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These irresistible, creamy purée treats are perfect for picky eaters, bonding moments and sneaking in hydration—cats can’t get enough of them.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The behavior's unacceptable, and so this is our way to try to end it or stop it, at least here in Manteca.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That is completely unacceptable.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rinko Kikuchi is stupendous as a ballroom-dancing widow infatuated with her instructor.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
To proceed more or less in order, renewables are now increasingly backstopped not by fossil fuels but by batteries, which have grown cheaper at a stupendous pace.—
Bill McKibben,
The New York Review of Books,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For me, Gregg’s incredible voice resonates not just in his music but in his humanity, in overcoming the murder of his father, the early death of his brother Duane, and his personal demons.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The first step to overcoming a fear of abandonment can look like opening up to your partner about your concerns.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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