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
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
The overwhelming evidence against Netanyahu has led legal experts to predict a likely conviction.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Verb
The community was rallying to a degree that was heartening, if at times overwhelming: first the flood, now the flood of donations.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
The overwhelming evidence against Netanyahu has led legal experts to predict a likely conviction.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Verb
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The race is technically nonpartisan but has become a de facto partisan contest, with millions of dollars flooding in from billionaire donors and outside special interest groups.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Mar. 2025
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And in so doing, that familiar feeling of hope and optimism has come flooding back for Bears fans, who just three months ago were again left downtrodden and dejected during an abysmal 10-game losing streak.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
More Johannes Neudecker/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP Iran at the Crossroads While Iran and Israel declared victory after their deadly bout, having launched hundreds of attacks against one another in a mere dozen days, the Islamic Republic's losses were staggering.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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This is the universal lament and staggering human cost of refugee displacement, dramatized in Danish-Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel’s tense, coolly heartbreaking debut narrative feature.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Some of their performances since the turn of the year, notably in the 5-0 thrashing of Inter in the Champions League final at the end of May and the 4-0 defeat of Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, have been irresistible.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
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Walmart $399 Apple All the changes to last year's Watch Series 10 (issued in advance of the Apple Watch's 10th anniversary) were designed mainly to make the Apple Watch irresistible once more.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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In his short stint in Scranton, that number has come down a hair, but still resides at an unacceptable 29.4%.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Mistakes should not be viewed as failures or unacceptable setbacks, but rather as calculated risks—necessary steps in the iterative journey of progress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The sun was oppressive and Ostapenko was stupendous.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
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Once that's accomplished, though, the movie is a happy thrill ride, a string of stupendous (and stupendously silly) scenes in which the mutants go after the castaways.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its official report on Carter's death on April 18, 2023, attributing his cause of death to drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam, the generic form of brand-name Xanax.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Higher temperatures can be too hot for a dog’s paw pads and, in some cases, can cause painful burns.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
-
The tents are overrun by mosquitoes and other large insects, subjecting people to frequent and painful insect bites.—
Steve Bousquet,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The Cubs were always going to be a far more formidable opponent than the Nationals and Rockies, against whom the Red Sox collected the first six of their 10-game win streak before the All-Star break.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
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This year promises to be quite a battle between the two formidable opponents, as Erwin Hymer brands have previewed gorgeous new launches like the Bürstner Signature and Dethleffs E.Home Eco.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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