OVER-POWER Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

overpower

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r

Definition of overpower

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress overpowered by fear of the unknown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overpower According to the Associated Press, security guards managed to overpower the man, and Chappelle was able to continue with his performance. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 Your curiosity is overpowering your responsibilities this morning, but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 It’s made with a touch of lavender for a sophisticated floral note that complements the fresh blueberries and peaches rather than overpowering them. — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 Once plated, the steak remains at center stage, adorned with a drizzle of the bright, herbaceous chermoula, which enhances the meat without overpowering its rich flavor. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overpower

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower

Verb

Trump spent time discussing the April attack in his remarks, thanking the law enforcement personnel who subdued the suspect.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026
The suspect in the shooting at the April dinner, Cole Tomas Allen, was subdued a floor above the ballroom after allegedly shooting a Secret Service officer in his ballistic vest while running through a security checkpoint.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

Thursday afternoon’s thunderstorms could pack rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour — an intensity that can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and flood urban areas.

— Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Others might have been overwhelmed by such a daunting challenge, but Serrajordi approached it with the positive, carefree attitude of a younger generation, similar to Lamine Yamal, Lopez or Pau Cubarsi.

— Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Verb

For more than a decade, India’s leader Narendra Modi has seemed politically unassailable, presiding over a government that has outmaneuvered opponents, dominated public discourse and squeezed the space for dissent in the world’s biggest democracy.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Businesses dominate actual stablecoin payments, which fits the velocity data, since corporate money cycles through suppliers and payroll on a schedule instead of sitting.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

The team overcame significant injuries to finish 12-5 last season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.

— Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
For example, while Messi may be today’s superstar, he was overcome by a coordinated system; so investing in the organization is critical.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Le Porge, a commune to the west of Bordeaux with 3,500 residents, has been devastated.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Tasmanian devils suffer from Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a highly fatal cancer spread by biting, which has devastated their population and surprisingly arose twice.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of devastate

Verb

On July 7, the Board of Directors approved an ordinance to move forward without subjecting the design work to competitive bids, using the Bezos Earth Fund dollars under the control of chamber officials.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026
In 1921, the Federal Aid Highway Act gave the word an official definition, subjecting it to regulation.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of subject

Verb

The defending men’s singles champion is Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match in 2024; the defending women’s champion is China’s Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekić.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Drones alone cannot defeat the Russian army, and the culture of Silicon Valley cannot supplant the need for military discipline, Syrsky argued in a column for Militarnyi, a Ukrainian publication focused on defense.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Browse Nearby Words

overpluses

overpower

overpowered

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“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpower

verb

Example Sentences

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