as in dominating
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
the overpowering of much of Europe by the Nazis during World War II
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irresistible
Related Words
1
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelming
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 overpowering
Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
Some people might find the scent overpowering.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 12 June 2026
Baby wipes or non-scented lotion will also fix an overpowering scent.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
No pitcher has been as overpowering as Garcia was under the lights.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2026
The Elden Ring sets are looking very real in a way that summons an overpowering urge to replay a game that takes 400 hours to get through.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Once any chemical smells are gone, a lightly scented candle or diffuser adds a nice touch without being too overpowering.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
The stench of death in Sinjar was so overpowering that Holland had to stop talking on camera.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 13 June 2026
The games were neither displays of baseball elegance nor overpowering runaways.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Slaten began in top form, overpowering Goldschmidt and likely American League MVP contender Ben Rice, but Bellinger retook the lead for New York with a home run to right-center.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The dressing, based on nuoc cham, a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce, has just enough fish sauce to give it depth and pungency without overpowering the brightness of the lime.
—Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
There are no flashy logos or overpowering buckles, giving the bag a restrained quality that lets the unique shape be the star.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson said the barrel program is carefully designed to support the whiskey through more than a decade of aging without overpowering the spirit.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Instead of overpowering the dish, the mustard gave it a savory flavor that balanced nicely with the creamy texture of the potatoes.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Disasters spark an outpouring of kindness between strangers, overpowering any social barriers that existed before.
—Pauline Bartolone, NPR, 23 May 2026
Noun
In Michigan’s overpowering run in this tournament, Mara was everywhere.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
Some people might find the scent overpowering.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Coral is the ultimate summer manicure shade, striking the perfect balance between pink and orange for a look that's vibrant without feeling overpowering.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 12 June 2026
Baby wipes or non-scented lotion will also fix an overpowering scent.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
No pitcher has been as overpowering as Garcia was under the lights.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2026
The Elden Ring sets are looking very real in a way that summons an overpowering urge to replay a game that takes 400 hours to get through.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Once any chemical smells are gone, a lightly scented candle or diffuser adds a nice touch without being too overpowering.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
The stench of death in Sinjar was so overpowering that Holland had to stop talking on camera.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Sosa, Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh each had three of Philadelphia's 17 hits — one night after the Phillies were limited to one as Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski struck out 15 batters on 95 overpowering pitches in his first career shutout.
—ABC News, 13 June 2026
The games were neither displays of baseball elegance nor overpowering runaways.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Slaten began in top form, overpowering Goldschmidt and likely American League MVP contender Ben Rice, but Bellinger retook the lead for New York with a home run to right-center.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The dressing, based on nuoc cham, a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce, has just enough fish sauce to give it depth and pungency without overpowering the brightness of the lime.
—Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
There are no flashy logos or overpowering buckles, giving the bag a restrained quality that lets the unique shape be the star.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson said the barrel program is carefully designed to support the whiskey through more than a decade of aging without overpowering the spirit.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Instead of overpowering the dish, the mustard gave it a savory flavor that balanced nicely with the creamy texture of the potatoes.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Disasters spark an outpouring of kindness between strangers, overpowering any social barriers that existed before.
—Pauline Bartolone, NPR, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Noun
-
The United States men’s national team’s performance in Friday night’s 4-1 was stylish, dominating and even historic.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
So is indie rock with maybe-a-psy-op-but-who-cares band Geese dominating summer concert sales.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Savannah is a favorite destination for its food, history, and, of course, irresistible Southern charm.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Its bizarre, funny, and even charmingly unsettling ideas offer an irresistible sense of fun that exemplifies what can happen when bold creative vision meets thoughtful craftsmanship.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Viewers have already seen glimpses of the premiere, which involves Aang and Katara subduing a sea serpent while guiding refugees across a treacherous path.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
-
Officers then shot her with a Taser, subduing her enough to take her into custody, police said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Layering a buttery blazer over an all-white ensemble and coordinating it with a matching bag instantly brightens the whole outfit without overwhelming it.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
-
Every dish and pairing is thoughtfully curated to awaken the palate without overwhelming it.—
Katie Riley,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
In the first 30 days of this assault, Israel killed at least 4,100 children—roughly eight times as many children as Russia killed in 21 months during its war of conquest in Ukraine.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
This provided the key insight on how vaccines work, which in turn led to the twentieth-century conquest of the most common infectious diseases.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Collaborating with the Centers for Disease and Control and the California Department of Public Health, county health officials are working with the above locations and agencies to identify potential close contacts who were exposed to measles during the infectious period.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
What else is going on A person with an infectious case of the measles likely visited San Francisco International Airport, a Bay Area county has warned.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
New historical research suggests that one of the most legendary cities in history did not start out as a conquering warrior state — poking a hole in its founding myth.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
But Saeta, which has been outfitting the team since coming to its rescue after the country’s devastating 2010 earthquake, has been struggling to keep up with demands, creating an opening for designers and other vendors selling unofficial merchandise.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
The British government refused to subsidize food prices or restrict exports of Irish agricultural goods, further devastating the island.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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