1
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpower
The area’s been overpowered with the number of screens for the size of the city, but that’s not the reason for the closures.
—
Joseph Hernandez
march 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Saugus overpowered a bigger Lincoln team in rebounding.
—Matt Wagner, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Salted pasta water should be briny, giving it a slightly salty flavor without being overpowering.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
He would have been overpowered and dragged away.
—Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Joseph Hernandez
march 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Saugus overpowered a bigger Lincoln team in rebounding.
—Matt Wagner, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Salted pasta water should be briny, giving it a slightly salty flavor without being overpowering.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
He would have been overpowered and dragged away.
—Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
Verb
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Even so, the reaction of the market has been relatively subdued, said David Butter, an energy expert on the Middle East at the Chatham House think tank.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Video from the scene shows a security detail member being taken to the ground as officers worked to subdue the suspects.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The host Knights used their balanced attack and nine three-pointers to simply overwhelm defending state champion Etiwanda, 80-66.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Maybe the Ducks’ talent and speed will just overwhelm them.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Beautifully cast and acted, as well-paced as any series in recent memory, HBO’s production is not just watchable but addictive, a weekly antidote to the flavorless crime sagas that now dominate streaming and network TV.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Lithium refining is expensive and technologically complex, and most of the world’s midstream processing capacity remains concentrated in China, meaning Chinese firms dominate not only mining but also the chemical refining stage where much of the value is captured.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
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Next, despite a close first half, Kansas State couldn’t overcome BYU and star freshman AJ Dybansta, falling to the Cougars 105-91 to finish off a disappointing season.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Shakespeare’s fierce and primal tragedy follows the celebrated warrior who knows how to conquer enemies but not how to win hearts.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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After fashion’s front row set conquered London, the caravan rolled onto Milan Fashion Week, where the energy felt instantly amplified.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tens of thousands of giant sequoia seedlings and saplings are sprouting in a Sierra Nevada grove devastated by the 2021 KNP Complex fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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The youngest in a family of famous actors, Carradine had been devastated by the death in 2009 of his half-brother David Carradine in a Bangkok hotel room and never quite recovered, the actor admitted over the years.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fans and politicians had intensified calls to examine Live Nation’s 2010 acquisition of Ticketmaster, after the company subjected Taylor Swift fans to hours-long online queues while charging high prices for tickets to her 2022 Eras tour.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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The very first episode of ANTM subjected the contestants to on-camera Brazilian bikini waxes and then sent them up to a Manhattan roof terrace to pose in swimwear in frigid weather.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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We can be either defeated or motivated.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Magic also won on Thursday, defeating the Wizards in overtime for their sixth straight victory.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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