1
as in floods
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surpluses
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in spills
to flow over the brim or top of
while the wine steward stood there gawking at the nearby celebrity, my expensive champagne was overflowing its glass and pouring onto our table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in engulfs
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflows
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
As long as the 83/17 split remains in place, protecting local waterways from combined sewer overflows will continue to exacerbate the water affordability crisis in Detroit.
—Nicole Van Lier, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
That can allow attackers to leverage serious vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and memory leaks to compromise devices.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
And in places where sewage and rain flow through the same pipes, heavy rains made worse by climate change can make overflows to waterways more frequent and severe.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The overflows have triggered a number of recreational and shellfish harvesting advisories along the Potomac.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
During a raucous and at times contentious meeting that lasted more than three hours, residents said the facility would damage drinking water quality, and harm the environment, frequently citing concerns about both potential flooding and overflows and about the ongoing drought.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2026
As a result, sewage blockages and overflows became widespread, increasing the risk of wastewater contaminating drinking water sources and heightening the likelihood of outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A and other waterborne diseases in an already vulnerable community.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
However, long-term problems persist as completely eliminating overflows will take decades, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 8 June 2026
Fuchsia ‘Cascade’ overflows from containers with hanging blooms from early summer to fall.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Any cost overflows would be paid for by DWP customers.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The roster overflows with talent, maybe enough to place it on the precipice of a dynasty.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 May 2026
On a holy holiday, the Muslim Community Center of Chicago overflows with the faithful.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Social Circle says the detention center would place undue strain on the city's already limited water and sewage capacity, and could lead to water shortages and sewage overflows for its residents.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The rates under dispute were introduced to meet new state regulations targeting combined sewer overflows.
—Nicole Van Lier, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Social media overflows with posts that have the outline of something inspiring, vulnerable, or provocative, but are hollow underneath.
—Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Noun
Researchers believe periodic flooding and river overflows helped preserve the eggs by covering them in sediment millions of years ago.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
As long as the 83/17 split remains in place, protecting local waterways from combined sewer overflows will continue to exacerbate the water affordability crisis in Detroit.
—Nicole Van Lier, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
That can allow attackers to leverage serious vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and memory leaks to compromise devices.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
And in places where sewage and rain flow through the same pipes, heavy rains made worse by climate change can make overflows to waterways more frequent and severe.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The overflows have triggered a number of recreational and shellfish harvesting advisories along the Potomac.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
During a raucous and at times contentious meeting that lasted more than three hours, residents said the facility would damage drinking water quality, and harm the environment, frequently citing concerns about both potential flooding and overflows and about the ongoing drought.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2026
As a result, sewage blockages and overflows became widespread, increasing the risk of wastewater contaminating drinking water sources and heightening the likelihood of outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A and other waterborne diseases in an already vulnerable community.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
However, long-term problems persist as completely eliminating overflows will take decades, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Our deals page overflows with offers.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 8 June 2026
Fuchsia ‘Cascade’ overflows from containers with hanging blooms from early summer to fall.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Any cost overflows would be paid for by DWP customers.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The roster overflows with talent, maybe enough to place it on the precipice of a dynasty.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 May 2026
On a holy holiday, the Muslim Community Center of Chicago overflows with the faithful.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Social Circle says the detention center would place undue strain on the city's already limited water and sewage capacity, and could lead to water shortages and sewage overflows for its residents.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The rates under dispute were introduced to meet new state regulations targeting combined sewer overflows.
—Nicole Van Lier, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Social media overflows with posts that have the outline of something inspiring, vulnerable, or provocative, but are hollow underneath.
—Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflows
Noun
-
As a skin care ingredient, hyaluronic acid floods withered, thirsty skin with moisture, thereby smoothing the appearance of fine lines.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
10 June 2026
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
As those temporary surpluses faded, homelessness spending fell sharply.—
Benjamin F. Henwood,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
As those temporary surpluses faded, homelessness spending fell sharply.—
Benjamin F. Henwood,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Otherwise, the charming village of Moltrasio—a jumble of ochre houses, a cooperative market, a couple of trattorie, a gelateria, and narrow streets that confound drivers—spills from the slopes of Mount Bisbino to the lake.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
After sunset, a taste of Dalmatian cuisine is a must at Kornat (for traditional presentations of fresh seafood and other local staples) or Labrax Fish and Wine Bar (for an innovative approach and outdoor seating that spills onto a square).—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Bold pink, yellow, and blue tile typically overwhelms a bathroom, dictates its overall color scheme, and limits decor choices.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
-
If 21st-century technology overwhelms our 18th-century institutions—if social media and AI destroy our capacity to think independently, evaluate facts, and recognize truth—Americans aren’t the only ones who will pay the price.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Just as the pair were celebrating finally taking Evan off-island for father-son bonding time on the mainland, a knock on the door bursts their bubble.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Heavy rainfall in the area caused torrents and increased the risk of landslides, making rescue operations more difficult, state media said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At one event in the backyard of a handsome home in Concord, Emanuel greeted voters and practiced a stump speech that highlighted strains on the middle class and the excesses of the tax system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Who knew vampires made such a good metaphor for America’s worst excesses?—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Beside it, a neon palm tree buzzes.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
The Coburg Bar buzzes with a zappy, more visible, businesses-like energy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflows. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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